Olusegun Michael Abraham V. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu & Ors (2018)

LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report

JOHN INYANG OKORO, J.S.C.

I have just delivered judgment in respect of the main appeal No.SC.698/2017 between the same parties in this Cross-Appeal. The sole issue for determination in the cross-appeal is as stated hereunder:-

“Whether the lower Court was right to hold that the 1st Cross Respondent’s Grounds of Appeal are grounds of law for which no leave is required for appeal.”

However, having dismissed the appeal of the Appellant in the main appeal (who is the 1st Cross-Respondent in this Cross appeal) and the decision in the main appeal being in favour of the 1st Respondent (now cross-appellant in the cross appeal), the sole issue in the cross appeal becomes academic and of no utilitarian benefit to the cross-appellant. It is trite law that Courts do not expend valuable judicial time and energy on academic issues or exercise. See Daniel v. INEC (2015) LPELR – 24566 (SC), K. R. K. Holdings Nig. Ltd v First Bank Nig. Ltd & Anor (2016) LPELR 41463 (SC), Trade Bank Plc v Benilux Nig. Ltd (2003) 5 SC P.1.

In consequence thereof, I shall resist the temptation of engaging in an academic

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exercise in this cross-appeal. It is accordingly dismissed.

SC.700/2017