TABAI, J.S.C (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This suit was filed at the Owerri Judicial Division of the High Court of Imo State by the plaintiff who is the respondent therein. The defendant therein is the appellant before us. The suit was filed on the 21/10/92. The following reliefs were claimed:-
"(a) Declaration that the plaintiff is entitled to a statutory certificate of occupancy of the land verged GREEN in the plaintiff's plan no. GIK/IMO/89/92 filed together with the statement of claim.
(b) N20,000 damages for trespass.
(c) Perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents or servants from further interfering howsoever with the plaintiff's rights and interests in the land for which the declaration in (a) above is sought.
Pleadings were filed and exchanged. The statement of claim was filed along with the writ of summons on the 21/10/92. The appellant's amended statement of defence was filed on the 9/1/97.
At the trial, both parties testified and called witnesses. A…