Facts:

The 1st and 2nd appellants are the airport manager and operations manager respectively of the Calabar International Airport, Calabar. They are employees of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as “FAAN”) and were the defendants in the suit at the court below. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents were the former principal and vice principals (academic) and (admin) respectively of FAAN Secondary School, Calabar, which is within the Calabar International Airport. They were the plaintiffs in the suit at the court below.

In view of certain management and financial irregularities, the FAAN constituted an audit committee to investigate the affairs of FAAN Secondary and Primary Schools. As a result of the foregoing, the 1st appellant issued letters to each of the respondents dated 15/10/02 directing them to proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect.