Facts:

The appellants as carriers, carried goods for reward by sea for and on behalf of the respondents as owners, from the seaport of Paranagua for delivery in Lagos, Nigeria, thus a contract for the carriage of goods was established between them. The goods, the subject of the contract were not delivered at the destination as agreed and no reason whatsoever came from the carriers as to what really happened to the goods. The respondents thereafter brought an action against the appellant at the Federal High Court, Lagos division for the recovery of the cost of the goods lost and interest therein