On the need to interpret the decisions of the Supreme Court based on the facts and circumstances of each case.
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From the arguments put forward, both in the briefs and oral submissions of the parties, it is evident that the parties interpreted our various decisions where Sections 97, 98 and 99 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act were mentioned; especially Skenconsult (Nig.) Lt & Anr. v. Ukey (1981)1 S.C. 6 and Ezomo v. Oyakhire (1985) 2 S.C. 260; (1985)1 N.W.L.R. (Pt.2) 195 differently and arrived at different conclusions as to what exactly this Court decided in those cases. It also appeared in rather bold relief that there is now a tendency among our lawyers, and sometimes among some of our Judges, to consider pronouncements made by Justices of the Supreme Court in unnecessary isolation from the facts and surrounding circumstances of those particular cases in which those pronouncements were made. I think it ought to be obvious by now, that it is the facts and circumstances of any given case that frame the issues for decision in that particular case. Pronouncements of our Justices whether they are rationes decidendi or obiter dicta must therefore be inextricably and intimately related to the facts of the given case. Citing those pronouncements without relating them to the facts that induced them will be citing them out of their proper context, for, without known facts, it is impossible to know the law on those facts.
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