Facts:

The entire people of Bonny “Kingdom” as represented by Chief N. Y Allaputa had successfully prosecuted an action in the trial court against Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, the appellants. The trial judge, Ichoku CJ, of the Rivers State High court gave judgment in the sum of N405,000,000.00 (Four Hundred and Five Million Naira) as well as interest in the sum of N15,750,000.00 (Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) plus cost fixed at N5,000.00 (Five thousand naira) on 29 January 2001. The Court of appeal had affirmed the decision of the trial court but the judgment sum was reduced to N305,000, 000.00 (Three Hundred and Five Million Naira) plus costs assessed and fixed at N5,000.00 (Five thousand naira).