JITTE. V. OKPULOR


In the Supreme Court


On FRIDAY, 11TH DECEMBER, 2015


SC.295/2005


Before Their Lordships

SULEIMAN GALADIMA JSC - (Delivered Lead Judgment) JSC

CLARA BATA OGUNBIYI JSC JSC

KUDIRAT M. OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN JSC JSC

JOHN INYANG OKORO JSC JSC

AMIRU SANUSI JSC JSC

Between

ISAAC JITTE

ISAIAH JITTE

And

DICKSON OKPULOR


Issue:

At the Court of first instance, the Respondent herein as plaintiff sought for the following reliefs. "(1). A declaration that the plaintiff is entitled to the Customary Right of Occupancy over the piece or parcel of land known as and called "Agbaraukwu land" situate at Umuelechi Obuzor Asa, Ukwa Local Government Area within the jurisdiction of this honourable court". (2). One Thousand Naira damages for trespass. (3) Perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, their children, servants, agents, and privies from further entry into the said land." After careful evaluation of the evidence of the witnesses for both parties, the trial customary court found that the claim of Respondent revolved around the issue of boundary upon which the parties laid claim to the ownership of some portion of the land. The Court however considered what the appropriate boundary was and entered judgment for the Respondent. The Appellants, who were the Defendants appealed to the Customary Court of Appeal. They raised issues ranging from the lack of locus standi of the Appellant, the incompetence of the suit, as fundamental defect. The court allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Customary Court with N1, 000.00 costs in favour of the Appellants. Dissatisfied with this judgment, the Respondent herein appealed to the Court of Appeal. The court heard the appeal and set aside the judgment of the Customary Court of Appeal. The Respondents have now appealed to this Court.

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