Facts:

The respondents who were employees of the appellant instituted an action as plaintiffs in the Federal High Court Akure, against the appellants (as defendants) seeking a declaration that the purported termination of their employment by the appellant is wrongful, illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever. Alternatively, the respondents claimed the sum of N25,000,000.00 as damages, and an order of reinstatement to their regular posts without any loss of seniority and/or benefits.

The learned trial judge found in favour of the respondents and held that their employments were unlawfully terminated by the appellant and ordered the reinstatement of the respondents and the payment of salaries, allowances, bonuses, emoluments and damages to the respondents. Dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial judge, the appellant appealed, contending that the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court does not extend to matters arising from master/servant relationships.