ONYEKACHI AJA OTISI, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of High Court of cross River State, Obubra Division in suit Nos. HB/3/2009, HB/4/2009, HB/5/2009 and HB/6/2009 (consolidated), presided over by Hon. Justice Adie Onyebueke, delivered on March 28, 2011 in which the trial Court granted declaratory reliefs, aggravated damages and the sum of N20,000.00 daily as demurrage from January 13, 2009 to May 26, 2009 to the Respondents.
The facts leading to this appeal as discernable from the Record of Appeal disclose as follows: by virtue of the Forest Law, Cap F5, Laws of Cross River State, 2004, the logging and exploitation of forest produce in Cross River State is controlled. A task force was created to monitor and enforce compliance of the said Law with the 1st Appellant appointed the Special Adviser, Special Duties and the Chairman Task force on Anti-Deforestation to oversee the activities of the task force. The Respondents who are timber dea…