JOHN INYANG OKORO, JSC (Delivering the leading judgment): In the High Court of Justice, Rivers State, holden at Port Harcourt (Coram) W. A. Chechey, J, the Plaintiffs who are the Respondents in this appeal, on 12th of November, 2003 by a motion ex-parte dated and filed on the 30th day of September, 2003, sought and obtained leave of the said Court to maintain the suit, the subject matter of this appeal in a representative capacity for themselves and as representing the members of Ibotirem Town, Andoni, excluding the Defendants who are the Appellants. Pursuant to the said leave they filed a statement of claim containing 35 paragraphs and claimed thus:-
Wherefore the Plaintiffs claim against the defendants jointly and severally as follows:-
(a) A declaration that the 1st plaintiff is the Okan-Ama of Ibotirem Town, Andoni, having been properly selected, presented and installed the Okan-Ama of Ibotirem Town by the Ibotirem Town.
(b) A declaration that the 2nd Defendant is not the Okan-Ama o…