TIJJANI ABDULLAHI JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal emanated from the judgment of the High court sitting in Port Harcourt, presided over by J.N. Akpughunum (J). The said judgment was delivered on 26th of February, 2009.
The Plaintiffs (hereinafter referred to as the Respondents) on the 31st of May, 2001, filed a writ of summons where they sought for the following reliefs:
"(i) A declaration that the plaintiff is still the Chief/Head of Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom in the Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
(ii) A declaration that the Defendants either by themselves, servants, agents or privies have no right and power under Bonny native Law and Customs as applicable to Jumbo Major house to remove the 1st plaintiff or to replace him as Head of Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny kingdom in the Bonny Local Government Area Rivers State; and
(iii) A declaration that under Bonny native Law and Custom as applicable to Jumbo Major House, the 2nd Defendant an…