<p><strong>AYOOLA, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): </strong>Sometime in or about 1974, the Federal Military Government through the Ministry of Defence acquired a substantial parcel of land along Okuku-Ogoja road in Ogoja for the purpose of Ogoja Army Cantonment. The appellant, Dr. Mathias Offoboche, who owned a part of the land acquired, was given a power of attorney by persons who, on the face of it, were representatives of some communities which owned another portion of the land acquired. By a letter dated 13th September, 1988 the Ministry of Defence (&quot;the Ministry&quot;) wrote to the Chairman of the Ogoja Local Government Area, Ogoja asking for confirmation of competence of donors of power of attorney to the appellant in respect of the acquired land. The 2nd respondent, Mr. Joseph OkoAgabi, was the Chairman of the Local Government at the material time. By his letter of 27th September, 1988, he as the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government, in reply to the request, wrote to the Ministry confirming tha…</p>