JAMAICA
V.
YAKUBU

ONYEKACHI AJA OTISI, J.C.A.(Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal emanated from the decision of the High Court of Benue State sitting at Otukpo, Coram M.A. Abounu, J., delivered on November 5, 2015 in favour of the Respondent.

The facts leading to this appeal, in summary, are as follows: The Appellant as plaintiff instituted an action in the lower Court seeking declaration of title to land situate at G.R.A., Otukpo in Benue State. The Appellant relied on production of title documents including a Right of Occupancy (Exhibit 1) issued by the Benue State Government in 2006 while the Respondent relied on the Local Government Certificate of Occupancy (Exhibit 6) issued in 1982. The Appellant had contended that as at the year 1982, when the said Local Government Certificate of Occupancy, Exhibit 6, was issued, Otukpo town had acquired the status of an urban area by virtue of the Land Use (Designation of Urban Areas) Order 1978, which was published in the Benue State Gazette as Benue …