JOSEPH EYO EKANEM, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the High Court of Benue State, Makurdi Judicial Division (the trial Court) delivered on 20/5/2014 in suit No. GHC/74/2010, by A.K. Baaki, J. In the judgment, the trial Court found in favour of the respondent and granted the reliefs sought by her, awarding damages of N1,000,000.00 against the appellants for trespass. The appellants aggrieved by the decision filed a notice of appeal against the same to this Court. The notice of appeal was amended by the order of this Court.
The facts of the case leading to this appeal are that the respondent (as plaintiff) obtained leave of the trial Court to sue for herself and on behalf of the Ochefu family of Ogobia, Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The suit was against the appellants. The respondent claimed that the 2 parcels of land known as plots I and 71, Ogobia Ugboju covered by Otukpo Local Government Area Certificates of Occu…