Facts:

The appellant sued the respondents at the National Industrial Court, Abuja claiming a declaration that his retirement by the respondents on 19th April 2011, a day after he was discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal, Lagos, was unwarranted, unlawful and unconstitutional, illegal and void; a declaration that he did not commit any wrong or attain retirement age to warrant retirement by the respondents; an order compelling the respondents to reabsorb him into the service of the Nigerian Army with immediate effect; an order directing the respondents to pay to him all his salaries and entitlements since his detention in 1999 till date; an order directing the respondents to promote him to be at par with his colleagues in service having been absolved of any wrong doing by a competent court since his detention in 1999 till date; and cost of the suit.

The respondents filed their statement of defence and joined issues with the appellant.

At the conclusion of trial, the trial court entered judgment in favour of the respondents.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, the appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal.