Military Governor Of Lagos State & Ors V. Adebayo Adeyiga & Ors (2012)
LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report
OLUFUNLOLA OYELOLA ADEKEYE, J.S.C.
This is an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division delivered on 25th of September 2001. The suit was filed before the High court of Lagos State on the 17th of June 1988. The seven plaintiffs now respondents in this appeal sued in a representative capacity for themselves and on behalf of other members of Shangisha Landlords Association as per order of court dated 21/11/1988 against the 1st – 4th defendants now appellants seeking for declaratory order as follows:-
“An order that members of the Shangisha Landlords Association whose lands and/or buildings at Shangisha Village were demolished by the Lagos State Government and/or its servants or agents during the period of June 1984 to May 1985 are entitled to first choice preferential treatment in the allocation and/or (as soon as possible) re-allocation of their particular plots as agreed in the meeting held on the 16/10/84 with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Development Matters.”
The 5th respondent Samuel Olatunde Smith was joined as a defendant pursuant to the leave granted by the trial court on the 15th of October 1993. Parties were allowed to amend their pleadings. The summary of the claim of the plaintiffs/respondents based on the averments in their pleadings was that members of the Shangisha Landlords Association purchased various plots of land from the different families who owned the entire Shangisha Village. Shangisha village which is situated behind centre for Management Development, opposite the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa had been in existence for more than a century. The plaintiffs built their houses on the plots purchased by them and were in possession for several years. The plaintiffs were not served with any contravention or demolition notices by the 1st – 4th defendants or their agents before they demolished their houses and development at Shangisha village. The demolition exercise continued from June 1984 to May 1985. The Association made representation to the Governor of Lagos State culminating in several meetings held at the office of the Permanent Secretary, Lands, Housing and Development Matters to resolve the outcome of the demolition exercise. A panel was set up by the Lagos State Governor under a principal secretary in the Governor’s office to inquire into the complaints about the demolition. Though the reports were submitted, there was no positive move over the complaint.
The case of the defendants/appellants based on the averments in their pleadings was that Shangisha village is a part of the 7,300 acres of land compulsorily acquired by the Lagos State Government by Government Notice No.236 of 14th October 1969 published in the Lagos State official Gazette No.35 Vol.2 of 24th October 1969. As a result of the acquisition the land became vested in the Lagos State Government by virtue of the public Land Acquisition Vesting order of 1976 published as Lagos State Legal Notice No.7 of 1976 in the Lagos State Extraordinary Gazette No.25 Vol.9 of 18th June, 1976. The plaintiffs/respondents were not physically on the site at the time of the acquisition. They squatted and erected buildings on the land without the knowledge and approval of the Lagos State Government. As no building plans were issued to them to erect the illegal structures contravention and demolition notices were duly served on the affected buildings and structures before the Lagos State Government carried out the demolition of the illegal structures. The Lagos State Government set up a panel whose term of reference was to inquire into various encroachments by squatters on Lagos State Government Estate.
The trial in the suit commenced in May 1993 and due to the delays caused by various interlocutory applications filed by both parties, it extended till the 29th of December 1993 and judgment was delivered on the 31st of December 1993. The learned trial Judge found in favour of the plaintiffs/respondents. Being aggrieved by the judgment, the defendants filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal Lagos. At the Court of Appeal, two applications were filed to regularize the Record of appeal as proceedings of the 23rd of December 1993 was omitted from the record. The lower court heard and determined the appeal and gave its judgment on the 25th of September 2001 dismissing the appeal of the 1st – 4th appellants. Being dissatisfied with the decision of the lower court, they further appealed to this court.
At the hearing of this appeal on the 15th of November 2011, the appellants adopted and relied on the appellants’ brief of argument filed on 13/7/05. Mr. Lawal Pedro learned senior advocate and Solicitor-General Lagos State announced the withdrawal of issues five and six of the six issues formulated for determination by the appellants in this appeal.
The four issues for determination read as follows: –
- Whether the court below was right when it held that it was not necessary for any of the parties to bring an application by way of summons for urgent hearing of the case during the court’s Christmas vacation and particularly for the proceedings dated 29tr and 31st of December 1993.
- Whether there was any oral application made by Chief A.O. Adefila of counsel to the plaintiffs/respondents that the case be heard urgently and during the courts Christmas vacation.
- Whether the court was right in confirming the decision of the trial court that the defendants had agreed to allocate to the plaintiffs alternative plots of land and that Exhibit P25 “would appear to have confirmed the oral evidence of P.W.1 to that effect.”
- Whether the court below properly evaluated the evidence of the plaintiff before affirming the declaratory judgment of the trial court and granting mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to allocate 549 plots of land to the plaintiffs.
The respondents adopted and relied on the brief deemed filed on 4/6/08 wherein five issues were distilled for determination as follows:-
- Whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the appellants were not denied their constitutional right of fair hearing at the trial court but rather that the appellants were given the opportunity to appear and defend the suit but they failed to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded them.
- Whether the Court of Appeal was right in affirming the decision of the trial court that there was an urgency by the fact the learned trial Judge was retiring with effect from 1st January 1994 which fact the trial court brought to the knowledge of all the parties and their counsel and that all the parties and their counsel consented to the further hearing of the case being heard during the 1993 Christmas vacation so that the learned trial Judge may complete the case before proceeding on his retirement with effect from 1st January 1994.
- Whether the Court of Appeal had jurisdiction and competence to hear and determine the application of the respondents dated 12th January, 2000 (hereinafter in this brief referred to as the second application) on the accuracy of the Record be amended as sought thereby so as to make it complete and accurate record in terms thereby sought, notwithstanding that the same court had heard a similar application of the respondents on the same matter on 28th June, 1999 and gave its Ruling thereon on that date refusing the same and whether the Court of Appeal in those circumstances had purported to sit as an appellate court over its aforesaid earlier decision refusing the first application on the same issue.
- Whether the Court of Appeal was right in affirming the funding of the trial court that the 1st – 4th defendants agreed to allocate alternative plots of land to each of the 549 plaintiffs having regard to the manner in which the plaintiffs were evicted and their structures demolished by the defendants but the defendants breached the said agreement and in holding that Exhibit P25 confirmed the oral evidence of P.W.1 to that effect.
- Whether whereas as in this present case these concurrent findings of fact in the decision of both the trial High court and the Court of Appeal and where those findings are reasonable, justified and supported by evidence (including in this case Exhibit p25) and the appellants have not shown any special circumstances why the Supreme Court should interfere therewith but it would dismiss the appeal brought to it by the appellants’ against those findings of fact or the two lower courts as lacking in substance.
I intend to be guided by the issues raised for determination by the appellants being succinct statements of the legal argument in this appeal.
Issues one and two were argued together.
Issue One
Whether the court below was right when it held that it was not necessary for any of the parties to bring an application by way of summons for urgent hearing of the case during the court’s Christmas vacation and particularly for the proceedings dated the 29th and 31st of December, 1993.
Issue Two
Whether there was any oral application made by Chief A.O. Adefila of counsel to the plaintiffs/respondents that the case be heard urgently and during the court’s Christmas vacation.
The appellants argued and submitted that the lower court misconstrued the provisions of order 48 rules 4, 5 and 7 of the High court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules 1972 which is pari materia with order 50 Rules 4 and 5 of the High Court of Lagos State civil procedure Rules 1994 which are unambiguous as to their purport and application. Rule 4 (c) provides that no cause or matter will be heard during the period beginning on Christmas Eve and ending on the 2nd January next following save where such a matter is urgent or at the request of the parties concerned. Rule (2) states that an application for an urgent hearing shall be made by summons – the rules do not anticipate a judge determining the urgency. In reading Rule 4 (c) and 5 (2) together, it is the parties that will try to satisfy the court that the matter is urgent and not the court determining such. The court is supposed to react to the needs and request of the parties not its own circumstances which neither party must be made subject to. In the overall circumstance the appellants concluded that the proceedings of 29th and 31st of December, 1993 were conducted during the Christmas vacation. The consent of all the parties to the suit was sine qua non for the proceedings to be valid. The urgency anticipated by the Rules is a situation that would affect the subject matter of the suit like a destruction of the res or an irreversible event that would permanently prejudice the right of the parties. As it was, the retirement of the judge would have compelled the hearing of the case before another judge with the rights of the parties intact. The urgency envisaged is in the cause or matter and not an urgency arising from the disposition, transfer or retirement of the trial Judge. The appellants cited the case of Itaye v. Ekaidere (1978) All NLR 247. The respondent argued and submitted that in the interpretation of order 48 Rules 4 and 5 of the High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules 1972, the learned trial Judge found that there was a compelling urgency for the trial court to dispose of the case before him before he proceeded on retirement on 1st of January, 1994 as the case was part-heard and nearing conclusion; as failing to complete it would necessitate a rehearing of the whole case before another judge. The learned trial Judge had informed the parties that he was retiring from the bench as from the 1st of January 1994 and that it was imperative that the matter be concluded before his retirement.
The counsel for the respondents vehemently opposed the adjournment sought on the 20th of December 1993 by counsel for the appellant on the ground that it was a plan by the appellants to ensure that the judge did not conclude the case before his retirement. The adjournment by reason of which the case was adjourned to the 22nd, 23d and 24th of December 1993 was at the instance of the appellants. The respondents further stated that it was not necessary for the parties to bring an application by way of summons as the rules permitted the learned trial Judge to hear a matter during the period of Christmas vacation if same was urgent. The appellants consented to the dates fixed during vacation; it is therefore inconsistent with such consent for the appellants to hold that they were denied their constitutional rights of fair hearing by the trial court. The respondent cited the case of Military Administrator Delta State v. Olu of Warri (1997) 7 NWLR (pt. 513) pg. 430. The respondents urged the court to resolve these issues in their favour.
In the consideration of the two issues – it is convenient at this onset to restate the Rules of Lagos State High Court as regards sitting during vacation.
Order 48 Rules 4 and 5 of the High court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure Rules) 1972 stipulates that –
Rule 4
Subject to the directions of the Chief Judge, sittings of the High Court for the dispatch of civil matters will be held on weekdays except:
(a) On any public holidays
(b) During the week beginning with Easter Monday
(c) During the period beginning on Christmas Eve and ending on the 2nd January next following.
(d) During long vacation i.e. the period beginning on the first Monday in August and ending on a date not more than six weeks later as the Chief Judge may by notification in the Gazette appoint.
Rule 5
- Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 4, any cause or matter may be heard by a judge during any of the period mentioned in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of rule 4 except on a Sunday or public holiday where such cause or manner is urgent or a judge at the request of all parties concerned, agreed to hear a cause or matter.
- An application for an urgent hearing shall be made by summons in chambers and the decision of the judge on such an application shall be final.
In construing order 48, it is obvious that Rule 5 makes room for two exceptions to the rule that matters may not be heard during any of the days specified in order 48 Rule 4. These exceptions are:-
(i) Where the matter is urgent or
(ii) Where the parties consent that the case be heard during that period.
The word or features in order 48 Rule 5 (1). In such situation the word or used is disjunctive and should therefore be given its ordinary plain meaning. It denotes an alternative and not implying similarity. It gives a choice of one amidst two or more things that is why in the literary sense it means either.
Ndoma-Egba v. Chkwuogor (2004) 6 NWLR (pt.869) pg. 382.
Kabirikim v. Emefor (2009) 14 NWLR (pt. 1162) pg. 602.
Anie v. Uzorka (1993) 8 NWLR (pt.309) pg.1.
I agree with the reasoning of the lower court that the first option is a matter for the discretion of the judge, while the second option is a matter for the parties.
The prevailing circumstances in the instant case are as follows-
1) At that time of hearing of the case this matter had been in court for five years.
2) The hearing had prolonged before the same judge throughout the year, 1993.
3) As at the 20th of December, 1993 when the appellants applied for an adjournment, the learned trial Judge made it clear that he was going to retire from the bench on 1st January, 1994 and it was therefore imperative that the part-heard matter be concluded before his retirement.
4) The counsel for the respondent Mr. Adefala according to the record vehemently opposed the adjournment sought by counsel for the appellants on the grounds that there appeared to be a plan by the appellants to ensure that the learned trial Judge did not conclude the case before he retired from the bench as the appellants had failed to appear at the trial after having been served as many as seven hearing notices since 29tn November 1993 to conclude a matter that was part-heard.
The learned trial Judge exercised his discretion and fixed continuation of hearing for the 22nd – 24th December, 1993. The circumstance of urgently prevailing in the hearing of the suit does not require compliance with order 48 Rule (2). The court and counsel had accepted the first option to treat the part-heard suit as an urgent matter; which can be heard during vacation. It was the learned trial Judge and not the parties who had rightly decided that the matter was urgent in the prevailing circumstance. Military Administrator of Delta State v. Olu of Warri (1997) 7 NWLR (pt.513) pg. 430.
The counsel for appellants came to court unprepared to continue to participate in the trial on the 22/12/93 and to ask for further adjournment for reason that Mrs. Adeyemi handling the suit had not reported for duty after her sick leave. The suit was adjourned to the 23/12/93. There was ample and credible evidence before the lower court deposed to by the learned trial Judge that the court sat on the 23rd, 29th-31st of December 1993 the dates of adjournment of the suit and gave judgment on the 31st of December.
The appellants’ counsel who applied for the adjournment to those days and the appellants themselves were not in court. The court completed the evidence and closed the case of the plaintiffs/respondents. The counsel for the respondents addressed the court. The appellants failed to defend the suit in view of their non appearance. The appellants condemned the sitting of the court on those days as it was supposed to be on vacation. They argued that the court did not give the appellants the opportunity to be heard before exercising its discretion to adopt extraordinary measures. In as much as the appellants had not waived their rights under the rules, there was a denial of fair hearing.
The bottom line to the doctrine of fair hearing envisaged by virtue of Section 33 (1) of the 1979 now in pari materia with section 36 (1) of the 1999 constitution as applicable in the determination of civil rights and obligation of citizens, is a trial conducted according to all the Legal rules formulated to ensure that justice is done to all the parties. It requires the observance of the twin pillars of the rules of natural justice namely audi alteram partem and nemo judex in causa sua.
A hearing cannot be said to be fair if any of the parties is refused a hearing or denied the opportunity to be heard, present his case or call evidence. The right to fair hearing is a question of opportunity of being heard. The right lies in the procedure followed in the determination of a case and not in the correctness of the decision arrived at in a case.
FBN PLC v. TSA Ind. Ltd. (2010) 15 NWLR (pt.1216) pg. 247.
Bamgboye v. University of Ilorin (1999) 10 NWLR (pt.622) pg.290.
Awoniyi v. The Registered Trustees of the Rosicrucian order Amorc (Nigeria) (2000) 6 SC (pt.1) pg.103.
Araka v. Ejengwu (2001) 5 WRN pg.1.
Okafor v. A-G. Anambra State (1991) 6 NWLR (pt.200) pg.659.
Mohammed v. Olawunmi (1990) 2 NWLR (pt.133) pg.458.
However whenever a party has been given ample opportunity to ventilate his grievances in a court of law but chooses not to utilize same, he cannot be heard to complain of breach of his right to fair hearing as what the court is expected to do by virtue of section 36 of the 1999 constitution is to provide a conducive atmosphere for parties to exercise their right to fair hearing.
Bill Construction Ltd. v. Imani & Sons Ltd./Shell Trustees (2006) 19 NWLR (pt. 1013) pg. 1 .
Newswatch Communications Ltd. v. Atta (2000) 12 NWLR (pt.993) pg. 144.
Furthermore a party complaining that he has been denied fair hearing during the trial of a case ought to remember that in a civil case, a balance has to be struck between the plaintiff’s right to have his case heard expeditiously and the defendant’s right to put across his defence to the plaintiffs suit. Where the party has been afforded the opportunity to put across his defence and he fails to take advantage of such an opportunity, he cannot later turn around to complain that he was denied a right to fair hearing. Hence a party who refuses or fails to take advantage of the fair hearing process created by the court cannot turn round to accuse the court of denying him fair hearing because equity aid the vigilant and not the indolent. In the instant appeal, the appellants failed to make use of the opportunity granted to them created by adjournments at their instance and abandoned their defence on the adjourned dates. A person who has abandoned his case cannot complain of lack of fair hearing.
Oyeyipo v. Oyinloye (1982) 1 NWLR (pt.50) pg.356.
Chime v. Ude (1996) 7 NWLR (pt.461) 979.
Asakitipi v. State (1993) 5 NWLR (pt.296) pg.641.
If a counsel treats a procedure as regular then he cannot be heard to object later before an appellate court. In the instant appeal when the learned trial Judge decided to hear the matter during those dates falling during the Christmas vacation because it was urgent, the counsel appearing for the appellants was not only in court; she consented to the dates fixed for hearing. The appellants could not turn round to complain about the sitting before the Court of Appeal and particularly in this court. The consent amounted to a waiver of the right of the appellants to complain or object.
Olukade v. Alade (1926) All NLR pg.67.
Etim v. Ekpe (1983) 1 SCNLR pg. 120.
I resolve this issue in favour of the respondents.
I shall consider Issues three and four together.
Issue Three
Whether the court below was right in confirming the decision of the trial court that the defendants had agreed to allocate to the plaintiffs alternative plots of land and that exhibit P25 would appear to have confirmed the oral evidence of P.W.1 to that effect.
Issue Four
Whether the court below properly evaluated the evidence of the plaintiff before affirming the declaratory judgment of the trial court and grating mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to allocate 549 plots of land to the plaintiffs.
The appellants submitted that the two lower courts misdirected themselves on the facts and erred in deciding that a binding agreement in respect of the land had occurred on the facts of this case and particularly at the meeting of 16th October 1984. In the event which transpired between the parties the appellants referred to the letter tendered as Exhibit p27 in which the respondents rejected the 50 plots offered by the Lagos State Government and demanded for 550 plots. The issue was never resolved between the parties. Secondly, that the letter P25 relied upon heavily by the two lower courts to have confirmed the claim of the plaintiffs did not categorically state the number of the plots at stake, while the government did not agree to give priority of allocation or any allocation at all to the respondents. The emphasis of the respondents was that they be given first choice preferential treatment by the Lagos State Government in the allocation or re-allocation of plots in Shangisha village. There is no evidence that the appellants actually allocated land to the respondents or to grant them preferential treatment in respect of any land not to talk of 549 plots. The mandatory injunction granted by court exposes the claim of the respondents to a claim for title or right to land in the absence of the necessary preponderance of evidence to justify such a claim. The respondents did not claim for compensation for acquisition, declaration that they were the persons entitled to statutory grants of occupancy or damages for trespass. They merely stated that they were on the land and the government took possession of the land. The minutes of the meeting of the 16th of October 1984 was not tendered. The plaintiffs have failed in the circumstance of this case to establish rights to the 549 plots of land within the Shangisha village in accordance with the five ways in which title to land can be proved outside of the grant of a right of occupancy.
The court below failed to advert properly to the onus of proof on the respondents seeking declaratory judgment and to the requisite standard of proof. Where a trial court fails to evaluate such evidence at all or properly as in the instant appeal and the evaluation does not involve credibility of witnesses, the appellate court can intervene to re-evaluate such evidence.
The appellants cited cases like:
Teniola v. Olofunkan (1990) 5 NWLR (pt.602) at 280.
Okonji v. Njokanma (1999) 14 NWLR (pt.638) pg.250.
Nanimal & Sons Ltd v. Niger Benue Transport (1989) 2 NWLR (pt.106) p9.730 at pg.742.
Abis v. Ekwealor (1993) 6 NWLR (pt.302) pg.643.
The respondents replied to these two issues by a brief summary of the case of both parties as averred in paragraphs 9, 14-20, 25, 27 and 31 of the averments in the plaintiffs/respondents amended statement of claim and paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 15, 24 and 29 of the defendants/appellants amended statement of defence. The Court of Appeal affirming the judgment of the trial court held that the issue before the parties transcended ownership of land. It was whether or not the appellants agreed to allocate alternative plots of land to each of the 549 plaintiffs/respondents having regard to the manner in which they were evicted and their structures demolished. The courts held that Exhibit p25 confirmed the aforesaid agreement by 1st – 4th appellants to allocate alternative plots of land to each of the 549 plaintiffs/respondents and in the circumstances the appellants breached that agreement. The respondent submitted and drew the attention of this court to the concurrent findings of fact of the two lower courts of the foregoing claim of the respondents which are justified and supported by evidence. The respondents emphasized that parties knew the area of rand they were litigating on and there was no dispute about it. As at the time the trial court heard the case of the parties, the appellants abandoned their defence as they failed to give evidence in support of the averments in their amended statement of defence. The trial court acted on the unchallenged evidence and deemed same to have been admitted. The appellants cannot interfere with findings of fact and conclusions of law of a trial court unless the findings of fact were perverse or that any conclusion of law thereon was wrong or that the Court of Appeal acted wrongly in law or on the facts affirming the judgment of the trial Judge. The respondents submitted that all the arguments in the appellants, brief have not provided any tenable arguments on fact or law to show that the findings of facts of the learned trial Judge, which were affirmed by the Court of Appeal, are perverse. The respondents cited numerous cases on this issue particularly Atolagbe v. Shorun (1985) NWLR (pt.2) pg.360. Abisi v. Ekweator (1995) 6 NWLR (pt.302) pg.643.
The respondent urged this court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgments of the lower court.
The foregoing is the summary of the argument and submission of both parties on these two issues.
I shall re-state the claim of the respondents as plaintiffs before the trial court by way of emphasis; it reads:-
“An order that members of the Sahangisha Landlords Association whose Lands and/or buildings at Shangisha village were demolished by the Lagos State Government and/or its servants or agents during the period of June 1984 to May 1985 are entitled to first choice preferential treatment in the allocation of their particular respective plots as agreed in the meeting held on the 16th of October, 1984 with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Development Matters.”
I have gleaned through the record of Appeal bearing in mind that the law permits me to take judicial notice of all relevant information therein which will assist me in doing substantial justice in the determination of this appeal. I refer to the cases of:
Daggash v. Bulama (2004) 14 NWLR (pt.892) pg.144.
S.B.M. Services (Nig.) Ltd. v. Okon (2004) 9 NWLR (pt.879) pg.529.
Dingyadi v. INEC (2011) 10 NWLR (pt.1255) pg.347
Besides the evidence of P.W.1, documents tendered in evidence by the 1st P.W. were application forms, receipts, offer of settlement, list of members of plaintiff association – 549 names, exhibits p5 – p27. The record is replete with letters of protest, letters of appeal to the Governor of Lagos State, to the Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, series of applications for interim order of restraint, applications for committal, letters of threat from allotees of land to members of the Landlords Association etc.
- As at the time this case went to court in 1988, the situation over the tract of land in dispute at Shangisha village now Magodo Estate Scheme Two was tense and there were letters of protest and appeals from allotees of land and the Landlords Association now respondents before this court to the governors of Lagos State and even the Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
- Committees were set up to find ways and means of restoring normalcy in the exercise of land allocation in the area.
- There were clashes of interest between members of the Association – the respondents, officials and agents of the Lagos State government and the genuine allotees of the disputed land and reports were made to the police in the environs at random.
- The Association complained that plots of lands were allocated to favour the rich and wealthy in the society rather than the people who were already on the land and those whose properties were destroyed on the land.
The respondents based their demand for first choice preferential treatment on the averments in their pleadings – the under-mentioned paragraphs of the further amended statement of claim are worthy of note –
Paragraph 8
“The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th plaintiffs are members of Shangisha Landlords Association and duty authorized to institute this action for themselves and on behalf of the entire members of the said Association.”
Paragraph 9
“The numerical strength of the members of the Association is more than 1000 and comprise mainly persons whose buildings put on various parcels of land purchased from diverse families who owned Shangisha village were pulled down by the Lagos State Government between 1984 and 1985 without any warning.”
Paragraph 15
“The plaintiffs aver that within the last 15 years members of the Shangisha Landlords Association erected buildings on various parts of the Shangisha village to the knowledge and tacit approval of the Lagos State Government.”
Paragraph 16
“The plaintiffs aver that the building operations on the Shangisha village were being carried on in the glare of Lagos State Government and its officials visible even from the Lagos State Secretariat Alausa.”
Paragraph 17
The plaintiffs aver that several certificates of occupancy relative to the plots of land which the buildings were being put were in the process of being issued while some had already been issued.”
Paragraph 18
“The plaintiffs aver that not only did (had) town planning authority processed relative building plans for approval but the Kosofe and Ikeja Local Governments processed application for street Naming in Shangisha village.”
Paragraph 19
”The plaintiffs aver that throughout the several years of these developments in the buildings operations, no member of the Shangisha Landlords Association was ever served with any contravention and/or Demolition Notice.”
Paragraph 20
“Surprisingly in June 1984, the plaintiffs were startled to see bulldozers mowing down their houses built in Shangisha village by men who claimed to be acting on the instructions of the defendant.”
Paragraph 25
“The meeting took place on the 16th day of October 1984 in the office of the Military Governor under the Chairmanship of Mr. R.K. Raheem, Permanent Secretary.”
Paragraph 27
“The plaintiffs aver that at the meeting it was agreed that the members of the Shangisha Landlords Association should obtain and complete Re-Allocation Forms in respect of their respective original plots which majority of the members did on payment of N50.00.”
Paragraph 28
“The plaintiffs aver that in the interval, the Lagos State Government appointed one Mrs. E.A. Olawoye Principal Secretary in the Governor’s Office to look into complaints regarding demolition of houses in several areas within Lagos State in which Shangisha village was one.”
Paragraph 29
“The plaintiffs aver that the Panel completed its assignment and submitted its Report to the Military Governor as far back as February 1986, yet the Report is still to reach the Nigerian Public and the plaintiffs despite repeated demands.”
Paragraph 30
“The plaintiffs aver that it came to their knowledge that some persons who are not members of the Shangisha Landlords Association are being issued with Allocation letters.”
Paragraph 30
“The plaintiffs aver that none of their members had been given allocation as agreed in the meeting held on the 16th day of October, 1984 despite the fact that inspection for the purpose of Ratification of plots of each had been carried out between October 1986 to January, 1987.”
The appellants reacted to the foregoing in the averments in their 2nd Further Amended Statement of Defence. At the hearing of the case, the respondents gave evidence in support of the averments in their pleadings and tendered the exhibits P5-P27. The appellants and their counsel did not appear in court on the dates fixed for the hearing of the case. The dates were based on the appellants’ counsel’s application for adjournment. In short these dates were fixed with the consent of the counsel for the appellant. It was also imperative that the matter be heard on those dates in view of the urgency of the situation. In short the appellants abandoned their case though they were given the opportunity to defend same.
The case of the respondents was that they were in possession of parcels of land at Shangisha village which they purchased from the original owners of the village. Shangisha village had been in existence for over a century. They erected buildings on the land with approved building plans by Town Planning Authority. The respondents were never served with any contravention or demolition notice in respect of their holdings. Nevertheless, Lagos State government agents came to demolish their buildings between 1984-1985. After the buildings were demolished, representatives of the respondents and appellants had meetings to resolve the disagreement. It was agreed that the defendants would offer to each of the appellant’s alternative plots of land in substitution for the land from which the respondents had been evicted. The appellants refused to honour the agreement.
The case of the appellants was that the government had acquired the entire land upon which the respondents erected their buildings in 1969. The Lagos State government then only offered alternative allocation of land to people who were legal owners of their plots unlike the respondents who were squatters. They were not physically on the land in 1969 when the land was acquired and they did not have any known legal interest in the land. It is apparent from the record that the lower court on the available evidence from both sides determined:
a. Whether respondents had buildings on the disputed land which were destroyed or demolished by the defendants.
b. Whether the respondents were allowed to continue to build on the land with their plans approved.
c. Whether the appellants went into negotiation with the respondents and eventually agreed with them to give each alternative plot in substitution for the land from which each of the plaintiffs was being evicted.
d. Whether the defendants honoured the agreement if the one had been reached.
The respondents emphasized that certificate of occupancy was issued by the Lagos State government to the respondents’ association. The Planning Authority of Lagos State processed building plans for structures to be erected at Shangisha village; that Kosofe and the Ikeja Local governments processed applications of members of the Shangisha village for street naming. Meetings were held with the government officials to find solution to the stalemate. List of members of the Association with 549 names was exhibited.
The learned trial Judge held in the judgment at pages 409-410 of the Record that –
“At the trial, the 1st P.W. gave evidence in great details in support of the plaintiffs’ case and his pieces of evidence (save as to the number of the members who are not entitled to the reliefs hereby sought in this action) were totally in line with the pleaded case. What is most important is that even during the proceedings and trial in this action meetings were still held between the plaintiffs and the Lagos State Government (defendant) herein to find an amicable settlement out of court to the disputes herein. Unfortunately, this has not been achieved. As the evidence of 1st P.W. stood unchallenged and uncontradicted, I accept the same in toto. From all these Exhibits it stood very clear that the Government of Lagos State has committed itself to allocate plots in the scheme involved to members of the Plaintiffs Landlords Association and is therefore bound in law to do so. I pay special attention to the letter of the Lagos State Government date d 17th May 1983, Exhibit p25”.
“Exhibit P25 reads:-
17th May, 1993.
Reference No. LJC/1431/148
The Executive Secretary,
Land Use and Allocation Committee,
Block 13/12,
The Secretariat,
Ikeja.
Confidential
Re: Suit No. ID/795/88
I am directed to refer to the above mentioned suit which is pending before the High Court No.1 Ikeja.
You will recall that the plaintiffs in this suit have obtained an interlocutory order of the court against us restraining the defendants from taking any further action in respect of the subject-matter of this suit.
Meanwhile the government allottees could not take possession of their properties. In order to save the government from further embarrassment you are hereby advised to find alternative plot of land for those who were physically present on the land before the demolition exercise of 1984/1985. We are not giving these people consideration as of right but just to keep them off from disturbing the government allottees. Further please, note that they should be made to pay like any allottees.
Please expedite action.
Sgd
O.P. Adeyemi (Mrs.)
For Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice”
In the letter dated 23/7/93 tendered as Exhibit p27, the respondents rejected 50 plots offered by the Lagos State Government and put forward a substantial claim for 550 plots. The appellants submitted that beyond the issue of formal application for re-allocation and the unresolved proposals, there is absolutely no evidence that the appellants ever actually allocated land to the plaintiffs which was their exclusive right to do, nor at anytime and by any document did they promise or bind themselves to or oblige to grant preferential treatment to the plaintiffs in respect of any land or plots of land, not to talk of 549 plots of which have not been identified, numbered, individually allocated or paid for. The appellants further held that the grant of mandatory injunction by the two lower courts exposes the claim to a claim for title or right to land. Whereas the respondents did not claim for compensation for acquisition or damages for trespass or declaration that they were the persons entitled to statutory grants of occupancy in respect of their specific holdings.
I hold that the reasoning of the lower court is the answer to the foregoing submission of the appellants. At record, the lower court held that-
“The issues transcended ownership of the land. It was whether or not the defendants agreed to allocate alternative plots of land to each of the 549 plaintiffs having regard to the manner in which they were evicted and their structures demolished.”
Further at page 727 of the record, the court held that –
“When the plaintiffs case is taken as unchallenged the result to be arrived at on the evidence is that the plaintiffs who were shown to be in possession of their individual portions of the land were ejected therefore by the defendant. The position of the law on the point is as explained in Okoko v. Uzeku (1978) 4 SC 77 at page 87 the Supreme Court said:-
It is the law and this court had held times without number that trespass to land is actionable at the suit of the person in possession of the land. Amakor v. Obiefuna (1979) 1 All NLR (pt. ) pg.119 Adesoye v. Shiwoniku 14 WACA 347 Emigwara & ors v. Nwaimo & ors 14 WACA 347 Tongi v. Kalu 14 WACA 331.”
The unchallenged evidence of PW1 and the documentary evidence tendered, supplied ample evidence that the appellants demolished the structures of the respondents of the disputed land. This brings me to the issue whether the court below properly evaluated the evidence of the respondents before affirming the declaratory judgment of the trial court granting mandatory injunction compelling the appellants to allocate 549 plots of land to the respondents.
The judgment of the lower court reads –
“In the end therefore and for the simple reasons I have given, I hereby enter judgment for the plaintiffs against the defendants as follows –
A declaration that members of the Shangisha Landlords Association whose lands and or buildings at Shangisha village were demolished by the Lagos State Government and/or its servants or agents during the period of June 1984 to May 1985 are entitled to the first choice preferential treatment by the Lagos State Government before any other person(s) in the allocation or re-allocation of plots in Shangisha village and I make the order against the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants (particularly the Lagos state Government and Land Use and Allocation committee) as agreed in the meeting held on 16th October 1984 with the Ministry of Lands and Housing and Development Matters, Lagos State.
- An order of Mandatory Injunction is hereby made that the said defendants shall forthwith allocate 549 (five hundred and forty nine) plots to the plaintiffs in the said Shangisha village scheme in the Shangisha village aforesaid.”
When the evaluation of evidence by a particular trial Judge is being challenged, the principles that are examined are:
a. Whether the evidence is admissible.
b. Whether the evidence is relevant.
c. Whether the evidence is credible.
d. Whether the evidence is conclusive.
e. Whether the evidence is probable than that given by the other party Magaji v. Odofin (1978) 4 SC 91.
It is the trial court alone has the primary function of fully considering the totality of evidence placed before it, ascribe probative value to it, put same on the imaginary scale of justice to determine the party in whose favour the balance of justice tilts makes the necessary findings of fact and come to a logical conclusion. The evaluation remains the exclusive preserve of the trial court because of its singular opportunity of hearing and watching the demeanour of witnesses as they testify and thus it is the court best suited to assess their credibility. It is only when it fails to evaluate such evidence properly or at all that an appellate court can intervene and re-evaluate such evidence otherwise the appellate court has no business interfering with the finding of the trial court on such evidence.
Agbi v. Ogbe (2006) 11 NWLR (pt.990) pg.65
Bashaya v. State (1998) 5 NWLR (pt.550) pg.351
Ojokolobo v. Alamu (1998) 9NWLR (pt.565) pg.226
Sha v. Kwan (2000) 5SC pg.178
State v. Ajie (2000) 7SC (pt.1) pg.24
Adebayo v. Adusei (2004) 4 NWLR (pt.862) pg.44
Fagbenro v. Arobadi (2006) 7 NWLR (pt.978) pg.174
Woluchem v. Gudi (1981) 5SC pg.391
Mogaji v. Odofin (1978) 4SC 91
Mogaji v. Cadbury (Nig.) Ltd. (1985) 2 NWLR (pt.7) pg.393
Ebba v. Ogodo (1984) 1 SCNLR pg.372
The evaluation of evidence in the instant suit before the trial court was based on the unchallenged evidence of the plaintiffs/respondents. The position of the law where evidence is unchallenged or uncontroverted is that such evidence will be accepted as proof of a fact it seeks to establish. A trial court is entitled to rely and act on the uncontroverted or uncontradicted evidence of a plaintiff or his witness. In such a situation, there is nothing to put or weigh on the imaginary scale of justice. In the circumstance the onus of proof is naturally discharged on a minimum proof.
Mogaji v. Cadbury (Fry) Ltd. (1972)2SC 97
Omoregbe v. Lawani (1980) 3-4 SC 108
Fasoro v. Beyioku (1988) 2 NWLR (pt.76) pg. 263
Nwabuoku v. Ottih (1961) 2 SCNLR pg.232
Omo v. JSC Delta State (2000) 12 NWLR (pt.682) pg.444
WAEC v. Oshionelo (2006) 12NWLR (pt.994) pg.272
The trial court accepted and believed the evidence of the respondent after proper evaluation; the Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment. The lower court had no cause to interfere with it or re-evaluate the findings of fact of the trial court. The Court of Appeal affirmed the declaratory judgment of the trial court which based on the nature of the claim before the court amounted to a judicial pronouncement on the legal state of affairs between the parties in the claim of the respondent to their right to preferential treatment in allocation of plots of land by the Lagos State Government in Shangisha village.
The appellants also challenged the propriety of the lower court granting a mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to allocate 549 plots of land to the respondents and the lower court affirming same. I shall quote from the judgment of the lower court at page 728 of the record which reads:-
“Finally the appellants’ counsel argued that the plaintiffs did not testify that their buildings were demolished. The answer is that this was a representative action in which P.W.1 testified for and on behalf of the 549 plaintiffs whose buildings were allegedly demolished. At page 305 of the record P.W.1 in his evidence on 11/5/93 testified.
‘Before the buildings were demolished no demolition notices or contraventions notice were pasted on the building or served on the occupiers before the demolition were carried out from June 1984 to May 1985 by the Lagos State Government. Thereupon the members of the Association sent a letter of protest to the Military Governor of Lagos State and made appeals.’
From the evidence of P.W.1 and the other documentary exhibits tendered, there could have been no doubt that the defendants demolished the buildings erected by the plaintiffs. I affirm the judgment of Balogun J. given on 31/12/93.”
The appellants mentioned in their brief that what was on ground at the time the respondent went to court was the issue of formal application for re-allocation and unresolved proposals. Also that Exhibit p25 merely advised the Executive Secretary of the Land Use and Allocation committee to find alternative plots of land for those who are physically present on the land before the demolition exercise not as of right but just to keep them off from disturbing government allottees. I do not want to believe that the government was given the advice in Exhibit P25 without verifying the truth of the destruction of the properties of the respondents. Exhibit p25 and the meetings with the members of the association had committed the government to giving the respondents replacements for their plots of land. It will be inequitable to resile from such representation. As a matter of fact, Estoppel by conduct/representation can readily be invoked in the circumstance. Against this background, it was necessary for the trial court to grant a mandatory injunction as a consequential order to direct the government to take necessary steps having entered judgment for the respondents on their claim. The court will always invoke its equitable jurisdiction and exercise its discretion to grant a mandatory injunction where the injury done to the plaintiff cannot be estimated and sufficiently compensated by damages and the injury to the plaintiff is so serious and material that the restoration of things to their former condition is the only method whereby justice can be adequately done.
The two lower courts were satisfied that the respondents proved special circumstance to warrant the grant of the mandatory injunction.
Abubakar v. JMDB (1997) 10NWLR (pt.524) pg.212
CBN v. UTB (Nig.) Ltd. (1996) 4 NWLR (pt.445) pg.694
CBN v. Industrial Bank Ltd. (1997) 9 NWLR (pt.522) pg.712
A-G Anambra State v. Okafor (1992) 2 NWLR (pt.224) pg. 396
In this case, the learned trial Judge exercised his discretion in considering the trial of this case as a matter deserving urgency and thereby heard same during Christmas vacation and furthermore acted judicially and judiciously in granting the mandatory injunction. Where the exercise of discretion by a trial court is in issue, an appellate court is usually reluctant to interfere with the decision except where the discretion was exercised in an arbitrary or illegal manner or without due consideration of the issues by the trial court. In the instant case, the Court of Appeal affirmed that the trial court rightly exercised its discretion during the trial of this case. This court has no reason to disagree with that conclusion.
R. v. Benkay Nig. Ltd. v. Cadbury (Nig) Plc. (2006) 6 NWLR (pt.676) pg.338
Williams v. Hope Rising Voluntary Services (1982) 1-2 SC pg.145
Ehidimhen v. Musa (2000) 4 SC (pt.11) pg.166
Oyekanmi v. NEPA (2000) 12 SC (pt.1) pg.70
Biocon Agro Chemicals v. Kudu Holding (2000) 12 SC (pt.1) pg.139
In the instant appeal at this juncture, there are two concurrent findings of fact of the two lower courts. The Supreme Court will not ordinarily disturb concurrent findings of fact made by the High Court and the Court of Appeal unless a substantial error apparent on the face of the record of proceedings is shown or when such findings are perverse. On going through the record, it is my conclusion that the court has no duty to interfere with the decisions of the two lower courts.
Akeredolu v. Akinremi (No.3) 1989 3NWLR (pt.108) pg.164
Ibodo v. Enarofia (1980) 5-7SC pg.42
Ige v. Olunloyo (1984) 1 SCNLR pg.158
Durosaro v. Ayorinde (2005) 8 NWLR (pt.927) pg.407
I resolve these issues in favour of the respondents. This court appreciates the magnanimity of the Lagos State Government in the proposals to effect an amicable settlement of this matter. The ball is now in the court of the respondents who has a statutory duty to advise them properly to give the government their maximum co-operation in the execution of this judgment.
In sum the appeal lacks merit and it is dismissed. The judgments of the two lower courts are affirmed. The costs of this appeal is assessed as N50,000 in favour of the respondents.
SC.112/2002
