UGBEGUN ANTHONY OSAIGBOVO V. H.R.H. LORD-PETER OJIEFOH USIFOH (THE ENOGIE OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF D.O. OJIEFOH (THE IYASE OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF G.U. IKEKHU (THE OGUNSEYEN OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF JOHN ILEKHOMON (THE UZUAJOR OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF LAWRENCE AKPEDE (THE OBAMIESON OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF D.R.O. EHIEOHILEN (THE OBAZEE OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF RUFUS AIGBEGBEA (THE IGUOBADIA OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF M.I. ENOHUMHAN (THE OLOTON OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF EDWIN IDAGUN (THE EHOZIE OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF PETER ENOSOGBE (THE AISOKUN OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF IHONDA IKEKHIDE (THE OSOH OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF (PROF.) J.O. OBAHAYOJIE (THE OJIEOZE OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF J.O. AMIELE (THE BALOGUN OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), CHIEF (DR.) S.O. EGUALEONA (THE AIZOOBAA OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), PA IROBOR (THE ODIONWERE OF IDUMU-ODU QUARTER, OKAIGEN VILLAGE), MR. JULIUS OSOH, PA. ENEBI (THE ODIONWERE OF IDUMUGUOKHA), CHIEF PHILIP EKOBAA (THE EHI OF E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY), MR. AIYA (FOR THEMSELVES AND ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE E-WOHIMI COMMUNITY EXCEPT THE APPELLANT)

LATEEF ADEBAYO GANIYU, JCA (DELIVERING THE LEADING JUDGMENT): This appeal emanated from the judgment of the Edo State High Court of Justice sitting in Benin City, delivered on the 29th day of February, 2024, Coram: P.A. Akhihiero J. (hereinafter referred to as "the TRIAL COURT"), wherein the trial Court granted the claim of the Claimants who are the Respondents in this appeal and dismissed the counter-claims of the Defendant who is the Appellant in the present appeal.

Piqued by the said decision, the Appellant lodged an appeal against the judgment of the trial Court vide his Notice of Appeal filed on 23/5/2023, setting out a sole ground of appeal which, without its particulars, reads thus:

"GROUND ONE:

The learned trial Judge erred in failing to properly evaluate the evidence before Court."

Brief Statement of Facts

The instant appeal is an offshoot of a chieftaincy tussle between the Respondents, who were the Claimants before the trial Court and shall henceforth be referred to as the Respo…