JASON UMESIE & ORS. V. HYDE EKPENYONG ONUAGULUCHI & ORS.

ADIO, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): In the High Court of the former Anambra State of Nigeria, Enugu Judicial Division, the appellant for themselves and on behalf of Umuome Community of Inyi sued the respondents. For themselves and on behalf of the late Ekpenyong Onuaguluchi family of Achi. The reliefs claimed by the appellants against the respondents were as follows:-

"1. A declaration that the plaintiffs are the people entitled to the grant of customary right of occupancy over a piece and parcel of land known as and called Azu Agu Umuome Community land situated at Inyi in Oji River Local Government Area within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court. The value of the land is N2,000.000.00.

2. N500.000 damages for trespass, committed by the defendants when the defendants, their servants and or agents bulldozed and destroyed the plaintiffs' farms and economic trees at Alli Agu Umuome Community land and erected structures on the plaintiffs land without the permission of th…