OLABODE RHODES-VIVOUR, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): In 1958 there were no States in Nigeria. Nigeria was divided into three Regions. The North, West and East. The Government of Western Nigeria acquired a vast area of land measuring 5000 acres for public purposes. The land acquired was within Badagry, Ikeja and the Colony (i.e. Lagos). The acquisition was Gazetted in the Western Regional Notice of Nigeria Gazette No. 28 Vol. 17 of 24/4/1958.
Lagos State was created in 1967. The area of land acquired which fell within Lagos State was an area amounting to approximately 929.6 acres.
In 1979 the Government of Lagos State filed an Originating Summons before the Lagos State lands Tribunal (i.e. suit No.LT/LS/IS/79). The issues was for the Tribunal to decide the amount of compensation to be paid to the claimants and those of them entitled to it.
In a well considered judgment delivered on 10/11/1981 the Tribunal considered evidence of valuers, experts and listened to submission of co…