Facts:

The Appellants’ grievance is that they were all members of staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Between 1996 and 2003, the Federal Government gave various written directives to the Central Bank to terminate the appointments of some of its staff, most of them forming an integral part of the Appellants in this appeal. The Appellants alleged that the 1st Respondent, in compliance with the directives of the Federal Government went ahead to terminate the appointments of the Appellants.

Aggrieved by the termination of their employment, the Appellants commenced an action by way of originating summons at the Federal High Court for themselves and on behalf of the over 1000 rationalized staff of the 1st Respondent. The trial court heard and delivered judgment in favour of the respondents. The Appellants became aggrieved by the decision of the trial Court and therefore filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the trial Court and dismissed the appeal.

Further aggrieved, the Appellants appealed to the Supreme Court.