Facts:

The appellant was the defendant in the court below while the respondent was the plaintiff. The respondent is a legal practitioner and the appellant was his client. Sometime in April 1992, the appellant retained the legal services of the respondent for the purpose of recovering the sum of N38,597,491.58 (Thirty eight million, five hundred and ninety seven thousand, four hundred and ninety one naira fifty eight kobo) owed the appellant by the Government of Cross River State and its parastatals. The appellant’s instructions to the respondent were contained in its letter to which the respondent replied accepting the instructions. There was no agreement between the appellant and the respondent either as to the quantum of the respondent’s fees or the basis of calculating it.

The respondent addressed a letter to the Government of Cross River State demanding the payment of the debt owed to the appellant. The respondent and the Government of Cross River State subsequently exchanged correspondence and the respondent made personal contacts with the aim of recovering the debt