**Retroactivity of Court Rules: A Matter of Jurisdiction** In a recent landmark judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the High Court of Akwa Ibom State's jurisdiction to hear a particular case was put to the test. The case, involving IFirst Bank of Nigeria Plc versus Obong-Ifiok (Dr) Anny Asikpo, has far-reaching implications for litigants in Nigeria's judicial system. **Background to the Case** In 2008, the Respondent, a renowned educational publisher, initiated a lawsuit against IFirst Bank of Nigeria Plc at the High Court of Akwa Ibom State. However, before the trial could commence, the Appellant (the bank) raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the original writ of summons was defective because it was not signed by a legal practitioner. The trial court dismissed the objection, and the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal, which also affirmed the decision of the trial court. Still dissatisfied, the Appellant took the case to the Supreme Court, challenging the decision on three grounds. **The Supreme Court's Ruling** The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, considered the sole issue formulated by the Appellant: whether the lower court was right in holding that the writ of summons was properly filed even though it was not signed by a legal practitioner. The court adopted the Appellant's argument that the original writ bore only the name and address of Counsel, without any signature. The Appellant contended that the reliance on the provisions of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State (Civil Procedure), 1989, was misplaced, as the requirement for signing is not dependent on whether a specific rule of court expressly mandates it. **Implications of the Judgment** The Supreme Court's ruling on this matter has significant implications for litigants in Nigeria. It highlights the importance of strictly adhering to court rules and procedures, particularly with regards to the signing of court processes. The judgment also underscores the importance of proper authentication of documents, as required by the Evidence Act, 1990. This ruling may have a ripple effect on other cases where similar issues of jurisdiction have been raised. **Conclusion** The Supreme Court's judgment in IFirst Bank of Nigeria Plc versus Obong-Ifiok (Dr) Anny Asikpo underscores the need for litigants to carefully follow court rules and procedures to avoid jurisdiction