JOSEPH OLUBUNMI KAYODE OYEWOLE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is in respect of an appeal against the judgment of the High Court of Cross River State, delivered on the 31st March, 2014 by ENEJI, J.
The parties were members of the larger Okondi Community of Bendeghe Ekiem and Etomi Villages in Etung Local Government of Cross River State. They had a dispute over the management of the Okondi farmland ancestrally belonging to the entire Okondi Community upon which the Appellants took out a writ of summons against the Respondents and sought the reliefs contained in their amended statement of claim filed on the 7th February, 2012 and contained on pages 79-82 of the record of appeal as follows:
1. An order of declaration that the Claimants being members of the Management Committee appointed by Okondi Community of Bendeghe Ekiem are entitled to manage, control and supervise the six blocks of Okondi form for Bendeghe Ekiem.
2. An order requesting the Defendants to render account o…