ANYAFULU & ORS
V.
MEKA & ORS

KUMAI BAYANG AKA'AHS, J.S.C. (Delivering The Leading Judgment): The Plaintiffs and Defendants are natives of Obosi. Both parties are members of Umuabua family but the Defendants belong to Umu-Ademe sub-family of Abua. The plaintiffs brought the action in a representative capacity against the Defendants also in a representative capacity claiming that the land in dispute which they call "Umuru" is owned communally by both parties through inheritance. The defendants denied this claim and asserted that they owned the land absolutely. The plaintiffs trace the occupation of the land to Ezuga, their common ancestor, who hailed from Ire Village. According to the traditional history of Obosi, an Umuru man was found guilty of having committed adultery and was asked to pay a penalty for the crime (which was yams). When he presented the yams, the quantity and quality were found to be unsatisfactory. The man became enraged and he killed the Eze and his pregnant daughter. Fearing the repercussions …