H. H. NTOE AKWA EDEM ARCHIBONG & ORS V. PRINCE CHARLES ESIN

KUMAI BAYANG AKAAHS, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of Philomena Ekpe J. of the High Court of Cross River State sitting at Ikot Nakanda Judicial Division which was delivered on the 21st day of December, 2007 in Suit No. HCA/9/2003. The appellants were the plaintiffs while the respondent was the defendant. Sometime in 1998, the Respondent was to be given Certificate of Recognition as the Village Head of Natunda Village. The 1st Appellant wrote a petition to the Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area alleging that the Respondent was not an indigene of Natunda Village and so not qualified to be recognized and issued with the Certificate of Recognistion as the Village Head of Natunda. The Chairman found the Petition to be baseless and directed the Respondent's Certificate to be given to him. When the Certificate could not be found where it had been kept the respondent petitioned to the Government of Cross River State and a new Certificate…