STEPHEN JONAH ADAH, J.S.C. (DELIVERING THE LEADING JUDGMENT): This appeal is brought against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, delivered on the 15th day of June, 2012. In that judgment, the Court of Appeal (hereinafter referred to as "the lower Court" or the Court below"), set aside the decision of Honourable Justice Tanko Yusuf Usman of the Niger State High Court of Justice, delivered on 29th June, 2009, in Suit No. NSHC/BD/11/2004.
At the trial Court, the appellant was the plaintiff, while the respondent before this Court was the defendant. Conversely, before the Court below, the present respondents were the appellants, and the present appellant was the respondent. The claim at the trial Court from the Amended Statement of Claim had the following reliefs:
The sum of Seven Million Naira (N7,000,000.00) being damages for trespass to the Plaintiffs marshy land known as LAWO lying and situate at SOMMAN village in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State for a perio…