MUHAMMED LAWAL SHUAIBU, JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the High Court of Akwa Ibom State sitting in Itu Judicial Division Coram, Hon. Justice Edem Akpan, delivered on 16th May, 2015 entering judgment in favour of the plaintiffs.
By the writ of summons and statement of claim respectively filed on the 24th March, 2016, the plaintiffs claimed against the defendants as follows:-
A Declaration that the certificate of recognition as family head of Nung Utigha family issued by the 2nd defendant to the 1st defendant through the recommendation of the 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants are null and void and of no effect.
A declaration that the 1st defendant is statutorily not competent to manufacture, produce and issue any certificate to any person as Family head in contravention of the clear provisions of the Traditional Rulers Law.
A declaration that all the certificates purportedly manufactured and produced and issued to the 1st defendant or any person(s) …