ANIAGOLU, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appeal in this case is brought against the judgment of Kooffrey, J., (as he then was), in a writ filed in November, 1972, by the plaintiffs as representing the family of Edoho in Afaha Eket against the defendants who were, in the course of the proceedings, authorised to represent the family of Idiong Ikpang in Ekpene Ukpa, Eket, all of the Calabar Judicial Division in which the plaintiffs claimed against the defendants, jointly and severally:
"(a) 500 Pounds damages for trespass on a piece or parcel of land known as and called "NDON EKPE ETOK" situate at Afaha Eket, Eket Division.
(b) Injunction to restrain the defendants, their servants and/or agents from further interfering with the plaintiffs' rights and possession of the said land."
Pleadings were filed, each side staking a claim to the ownership of the land through inheritance based on traditional history and upon positive and numerous acts of ownership allegedly exercised b…