Facts:

The claimant, Mr. Kalu Ukpai brought an action before the High Court against the defendants, Mr. Emeka Ugonna; E. C. Majesty Nigeria Limited and alleged in his pleadings that he was engaged in a joint business venture – a partnership – with the defendants after having served as an apprentice of the 1st defendant for a number of years. He alleged that the said joint enterprise was being run out of the defendants’ shop where in they traded in electronic goods. According to the claimant, he was the partner involved in the day-to-day running of the business. He averred that after having paid to the defendant, the sum of N200,000.00 (two hundred thousand naira),