CORAM

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I. L. KUTIGI JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT

N. TOBI JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT

G. A. OGUNTADE JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT

M. MOHAMMED JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT

W. S. N. ONNOGHEN JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT

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PARTIES

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DR. AUGUSTINE N. MOZIE

VINCENT MBAMALU

LOUIS N. MADUKAIFE

GABRIEL M. IGWEZE

ANDREW OBIECHINA

NATHAN MOZIE

REGISTRAR OF DEEDS

APPELLANTS 

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CHIKE MBAMALU

ARINZE MOZIE

CHIKE OBIEGBU

RESPONDENTS 

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AREA(S) OF LAW

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ACTION – LAND LAW

 

 

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SUMMARY OF FACTS

The 1st appellant, a medical practitioner, desirous of building a cottage hospital and his residential accommodation, applied for a parcel of land in Ani Owelle. He applied for unspecified number of plots and the family allocated some plots of land. Problem started when the 1st appellant cleared more than what the family allocated to him.

 

 

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HELD

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Dismissing the appeal (By a majority of 3 to 2), the court held the appellant is only entitled to the four plots of land allocated by the family members on the preponderance of evidence before the trail court.

 

 

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ISSUES

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(1) Whether family members can maintain an action in respect of family property in their personal capacity.

(2)  whether the 1st appellant was allocated only four plots or an indefinite or unlimited number of plots.

 

 

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RATIONES DECIDENDI

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MEMBERS OF FAMILY CAN SUE IN RESPECT OF FAMILY PROPERTY

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‘It is good law that members of a family can sue in respect of family property. This was the position of the two courts below and they are right.’ N. TOBI JSC

 

HOW A PARTY CAN DEROGATE FROM ESTABLISHED CUSTOM

‘A party can only derogate from long established practice by adducing cogent evidence to the fact that such practice was not intended to be followed in the particular instance. ‘ N.TOBI JSC.

 

PARTITION OF FAMILY PROPERTY

‘The usual practice is that specific number of plots is allocated to persons in need.’ Niki Tobi JSC.

 

 

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CASES CITED

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1. Abubakri V. Smith 1973 6S.C.31

2. ACB V. Emostrade (2002) 8 NWLR (Pt. 770) 501

3. Adekunle V. Adewale [1983] 8 SC 98

4. Adelaja V. Farouk (1990) 2 NWLR (Pt. 131) 137

 

 

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STATUTES REFERRED TO

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Cases referred to in the Judgment:

Abubakri V. Smith 1973 6S.C.31

ACB V. Emostrade (2002) 8 NWLR (Pt. 770) 501

Adekunle V. Adewale [1983] 8 SC 98

Adelaja V. Farouk (1990) 2 NWLR (Pt. 131) 137

Adewunmi V. Attorney-General, Ekiti State (2002) 2 SCM 1; (2002) 2 NWLR (Pt.751) 474

Afolabi & Ors. V. Adekunle & Anor. [1983] 8 S.C. 98

Akande V. Araoye & Anor (1968) NMLR 283

Amajideogu V. Ononaku [1988] 2 NWLR (Pt. 78) 614

Anatogu V. Attorney-General of Eastern Nigeria (1976) 11 SC 109.

Anonk Lodge Hotels Ltd, V. Mercantile Bank of Nigeria Ltd, (1993) 3 NWLR (Pt. 284) 72.

Attorney-General Bendel State V. Aideyan (1989) 4 NWLR (Pt. 118) 646

Awoniyi V. Rosicrucian Order (2000) 10 NWLR (Pt. 676) 522

Ayinde V. Akanji [1988] 1 NWLR (Pt. 68) 70 at 72.

Ayorinde V. Oni (2000) 3 NWLR (Pt. 649) 348,

Babayeiu V. Chief Ashamu (1998) 9 NWLR (Pt. 567) 546,

Bakare V. A.C.B. (1986) 3 NWLR (pt.26) 47

Balogun V. Labiran (1988) 3 NWLR (Pt. 80) 66

Bedford (Duke of) V. Ellis (1910) AC 1

Braimah V. Abasi (1998) 13 NWLR (Pt. 581) 167

Bulai & Anor. V. Omoyajowo [1968] N.M.L.R. 160

Dadi V. Garba (1995) 8 NWLR (Pt. 411) 12,

Dokubo & Anor. Bob-Manuel & Ors (1967) 1 All NLR 113

Eboade V. Atomesin (1997) 5 NWLR (Pt. 506) 490.

Economidea V. Thomopulous Ltd. (1956) 1 FSC 7

Ekpendu V. Erika (1959) 4 F.S.C. 79,

Elias V. Omo-Bare (1982) 5 SC 25

Fawehinmi V. Akilu (1987) 4 NWLR (Pt.67) 797,

Flast V. Cohen 392 US83 88 S.Ct. 1942

Francis Odiete V. Okorie [1973] 1 NMLR 175

Hamisu V. Abergavenny (Marquis of) (1887) 3 TLR 324

Heyting V. Dupont 1963 1 W.L.R. 1192

Ifekwe V. Madu (2000) 14 NWLR (Pt. 686) 459

Jeremiah Nsima V. Ole Nnaji & Ors. (1961) 1 All N.L.R. 441

Kindey & Ors. V. MG of Gongola State & Ors. Vol. 19 Part I MSCC P 827

Mba Nta & Ors V. Ed. Nweze Anigbo & Anor (1972) 5 S.C. 156

Melifonwu V. Egbuyi (1982) 9 SC

Motunwase V. Sorungbe (1988) 5 NWLR (Pt. 92) 90

Nsima V. Ole Nnaji & Ors (1961) 1 All NLR 441

Nta V. Arugbo (1972) 5 SC 156,

Nwakhoba V. Dumez Nigeria Ltd, Ajaokuta [2003] F. W.L.R. (Pt.179) 1188

Nwobodo V. Onoh [1984] 1 SC. 1

Odeneye V. Efunuga (1970) 7 NWLR (Pt. 164) 618.

Okafor V. Nnaife & Ors. [1973] 3 E.C.S.L.R 261

Oloriode & Ors. V. Oyebi & Ors. [1984] N.S.C.C. 286

Olowosago V. Adebanjo (1988) 4 NWLR (Pt. 88) 275

Olubode V. Oyesina (1977) 5 SC 79

Omorede V. Eleazu [1991] 4 NWLR (Part 183) 65

Onwumalu & Ors. V. osadume [1971] 1 All N.L.R. 14.

Orogan V. Soremekun (1986) 5 NWLR (Pt. 44) 688

Otapo V. Sunmonu [1989] 2 NWLR (Part 87)587

Overseas Construction Co. Nig. Ltd V. Creek Enterprises (Nig) Ltd (1985) 3 NWLR (Pt.13) 407

Oyeneye V. Odugbesan (1922) 4 S.C. 244

Oyewole V. Lasisi (2000) 14 N.W.L.R. (Pt. 686) 459

Senator Adesanya V. President of Nigeria & Anor (1981) 2 NCLR 358.

Sketch V. Aiagbemokeferi (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 100) 678.

Smith & Others V. Cardiff Corporation [1954] 1 Q.B. 216

Ugo V. Obiekwe (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 99) 566

Ugwu V. Agba (1977) 10 SC 27

Union Bank V. Nnoli (1990) 1 NWLR (Pt. 145) 530

Usman V. Jusfa (1997) 1 NWLR (Pt. 483) 525

Wiri V. Wuche (1980) 1-2 SC 1

 

 

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