KEKERE-EKUN JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): By a writ of summons dated 31 July 1997, the respondent herein, as plaintiff instituted a suit against the appellants herein, as defendants before the High Court of Justice, Imo State, sitting at Owerri, claiming the following reliefs: “Declaration that the plaintiff is entitled to the satutory right of occupancy over the piece or parcel of land known and called “Uzoato” situate and lying along Uratta Road, Owerri, within jurisdiction and which is more particularly delineated in Survey Plan No. NEC/9817/78.
N500,000.00 (five hundred thousand naira) only, general and exemplary or punitive damages against the defendants for trespass on the said piece or parcel of land.
Perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their servants , agents or privies from further acts of trespass on the said piece or parcel of land.”
The parties duly exchanged pleadings. In the course of the trial, the respondent sought to tender exhibit C, a deed of conve…