Courtesy: Moruff O. Balogun, Esq.

6. ESABUNOR V. FAWEYA [2019] 7 NWLR PT. 1671 at 336.
On what inherent jurisdiction connotes.
“Now, all courts, by the facts that they are courts, have inherent jurisdiction. This is a jurisdiction that is necessary for the proper and complete administration of justice e.g courts have inherent power/jurisdiction to punish for contempt.
Inherent jurisdiction or powers are not given to the courts by the constitution or legislation. They are those powers that are necessary for the administration of justice in the court. It is very well settled that the supreme court can consider issue which the court of appeal failed to consider. That is to say this court can take up and decide an issue raised before the court of appeal but which was not considered by that court”.

7. HILDEFMA GLOBAL RESOURCES LIMITED V. SETRACO [NIG.] LTD
[2021]2 NWLR Part 17 Page 390.
“A claim under the undefended list procedure can only succeed if it relates to straight forward uncontested liquated monetary claims.
It is the duty of the trial Judge to decide whether there is a fair issue to be tried. So once the respondents set out, as they have done grounds of their defence in an affidavit which prima facie shows a triable issue requiring a full contest of the action, they are entitled to have the suit entered in the general cause list”.

8. GBEDU V. ITIE [2020] 3 NWLR PT. 1710 Page 123.
“ A trial Judge is free to use any book cited by any party or suo motu make reference to any book which is relevant to the issue or issues before him. A party cannot gag a Judge in the way the learned counsel is contending in his brief.
It is generally the practice for counsel to cite authorities favourable to his client’s case and it is the duty of the Judge, as the independent umpire, so to say, to look at all available authorities on the issues to arrive at a just and proper decision.”

9. GBEDU V. ITIE [2020] 3 NWLR PT. 1710 Page 125.
“Miscarriage of justice is a failure of Justice. There is said to be a miscarriage of justice if what happened in court is not justice according to the law”.

10. ADELEKE V. OYETOLA [2020] 6 NWLR PT 1721 Page 503.
“ A party should be consistent in stating his case and consistent in proving it. He will not be allowed to take one stance in the pleading then turn summersault during trial, Justice is much more than a game of hide and seek. It is an attempt our human imperfections notwithstanding to discover the truth”.

To be continued.