Facts:

The appellant and respondent both key players in the oil and gas sector, entered into a contract wherein they agreed that it shall be governed by English law with the High Court of Justice in London having exclusive jurisdiction for dispute resolution.

Dispute arose and the respondent instituted a suit at London against the appellant in accordance with the contract. At the end of the proceedings the court in London gave judgment in favour of the respondent. The respondent proceeded to register the judgment in Nigeria at the Federal High Court and the court granted its application. However, the appellant via a petition sought to set aside the Order earlier made by the court registering the foreign judgment. The respondent filed its counter-affidavit in response. Ruling on the appellant’s petition, the lower court dismissed it on the ground that the appellant voluntarily submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court in London.

Dissatisfied with the Ruling of the lower court, the appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal.