CHRISTIAN OKAFOR VS BENDE DIVISIONAL UNION


In the Supreme Court


On 16TH DECEMBER, 2016


SC.164/2003


Before Their Lordships

WALTER SAMUEL N. ONNOGHEN CJN JSC

MARY UKAEGO PETER-ODILI JSC JSC

OLUKAYODE ARIWOOLA JSC JSC

KUMAI BAYANG AKAAHS JSC JSC

KUDIRAT MOTONMORI O. KEKERE-EKUN JSC (Delivered Lead Judgment) JSC

JSC

Between

CHRISTIAN OKAFOR

And

BENDE DIVISIONAL UNION

MR. DICKSON U. E. UWAGBAMA

EMMA I.CHUKWU

ANTHONY ONWUKANJO

UKOHA U. UKOHA

D. I. KALU

SUNDAY A. UKANDU

MRS. J. NWAMUO


Issue:

The respondents instituted a fresh suit on 25/4/1994 seeking declaration that the property situate, lying and being at No. 24 Langtang Street, Jos is the property of the first plaintiff and that the first plaintiff is entitled to the grant of a Statutory Right of Occupancy over the said property, perpectual injunction, and damages among others. After the exchange of pleadings, the defendants filed a motion on notice praying for the suit to be dismissed on the ground that it was statute barred. In a considered ruling delivered on 2/3/1999, the High Court per M.N. Ntiem, J. dismissed the application and held that the suit was not statute barred. An appeal to the lower court was dismissed on 8/11/2000 and the ruling of the trial court was upheld. The appellant is dissatisfied with the decision and has further appealed to the Supreme Court.

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