Saka Olugbode & Anor V. Abidoye Sangodeyi (1996)

LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report

BELGORE, J.S.C.

This appeal is in respect of a large expanse of land situate at Ajayi Orioke/Aderibigbe village along Iwo Road, Ibadan. The plaintiffs who are the appellants here and in the Court of Appeal had sued the defendant (representing himself and Ajayi Family of the same address) on the land in dispute claiming:-

“1. Forfeiture and recovery of possession of the land in dispute.

2. Injunction restraining the defendant, his servants, agents and any person claiming through him from being or doing anything on the land in dispute.”

The land in dispute was the subject-matter of a suit before the Customary Court, Ibadan, in which the present respondent’s family were plaintiffs. The background of the claim leading to this appeal may be summarised as hereunder:-

“The plaintiffs (now appellants) assert that their ancestor, one Olowu, found the land and settled there during the time of Lagelu. Olowu died and his sons: Olugbode, Aderibigbe, Adeniji and Adegbite, the descendants of Olowu (headed by Olugbode family) continued to exercise maximum right of ownership over the land. This land now in dispute forms a little part of the Olowu’s land aforementioned. During his lifetime, Olugbode made a grant of the land to Bade and Tubosun families, who are still tenants of Olugbode family and their holdings form part of the disputed land’s boundaries. One Samuade, a maternal relation of Aderibigbe, one of the children of Olowu, brought to Aderibigbe one Ajayi, the ancestor of the defendant family for a customary grant of the land in dispute, entailing an annual homage in the payment of tribute or Ishakole made up of maize and yams. This customary tenancy never involved absolute ownership or title to Ajayi family but subject always to good conduct and payment of “Ishakole”. Though Aderibigbe founded a village on the disputed land originally called Aderibigbe village, but when Ajayi’s descendants became prominent on the land, the village is now commonly referred to as Aderibigbe/Ajayi Orioke village. Part of the land was acquired by the Ibadan District Council for building a teachers’ College in 1967 and the plaintiff’s family were compensated for the land whilst the Ajayi family were compensated for crops. In 1971, because some persons raised objection, in the Commissioner for Lands and Housing v Jimoh Fogebe suit 11232/1972, the plaintiffs were adjudged to be the rightful owners of a part of the land compulsorily acquired by the defunct Western State Government for television substation.”

Dispute surfaced on the disputed land when one Raufu Olatunji became the head of Ajayi family. He refused to pay “Ishakole” or to admit the over lordship of Olugbode family over the land. He went to court, representing himself and his family and made this claim over the land:-

“1. Plaintiffs’ claim (over the land) against the defendant (representing Olugbode family), declaration of the title to all that piece or parcel of land situate at Orioke village, Iwo Road Ibadan.

2. An injunction to restrain the defendant, his agents, servants or privies from coming on the said land.”

He drew and tendered a plan to support his claim. He claimed ownership through one Osun that he purported to descend from. The case was at Grade A Customary Court, Ibadan and the claim was a total denial of the title of Olugbode family to the land. The appeal to the High Court of Western State in appeal No. 1130A/1968 was dismissed. There was a further appeal to the former Western State Court of Appeal (appeal No. CAW/35/l969) which was also dismissed. In appeal No. SC.286/1970 Supreme Court affirmed the decisions of the lower courts by dismissing the appeal of the plaintiff/appellant now respondent in this appeal. The crux of all the decisions in the courts below is that the Ajayi family were customary tenants of Olugbode family.

Remarkable enough, as the respondents pursued their claim as outright title holders or absolute owners of the land, with cases still pending either in the Customary Court or the Higher Courts of record, they kept on alienating parts of the land as absolute owners. Examples are:-

“That after challenging the right and ownership to the said land by the plaintiffs as landlord and after the judgments referred to above the defendants as tenants have purported to alienate substantially the whole of the said land to various people for building purposes as evidenced by:

(a) Deed of conveyance dated 7th April, 1967 and registered as No. 1 at Page 3 in Volume 992 of the Lands Registry at Ibadan;

(b) Deed of conveyance dated 7th April, 1967 and registered as No.3 at Page 3 in Volume 992 of the Lands Registry at Ibadan;

(c) Deed of conveyance dated 30th October, 1968 and registered as No. 15 at Page 15 in Volume 1101 of the Lands Registry at Ibadan;

(d) Deed of conveyance registered as No. 38 at Page 38 in Volume 1478 of the Lands Registry at lbadan;

(e) Deed of conveyance registered as No. 39 at Page 39 in Volume 1478 of the Lands Registry at Ibadan;

(f) Deed of conveyance registered as No. 40 at Page 40 in Volume 1478 of the Lands Registry at lbadan.”

Even after the decision of the Supreme Court, the respondents have purported to alienate the entire disputed land for residential purposes and according to their statement of defence to the suit, the subject of this appeal, they had to alienate so as to raise money to prosecute their defence to this suit. (The Italics are mine for emphasis)

Despite the previous decision of Supreme Court, in defence to this action now on appeal, the respondents insist that they honestly believed they owned the land but admitted that they stopped paying “lshakole” which they were paying before. It is only during the present generation of the present respondent that they stopped paying Ishakole. The defendant (respondent now) claims that by virtue of equitable defences of laches, acquiescence and standing by the plaintiffs/appellants’ case must fail. The learned trial Judge in a lengthy judgment inter alia found as follows:-

“The judgments and conveyances tendered by the plaintiff reveal the following facts. On 7/4/67 the defendant’s family executed two conveyances. Exhibit 15 and 16. On 12/7/68 the defendant’s claim in Suit No. A2/CV/24/63 was dismissed, and the defendant’s family were held to be the plaintiffs’ customary tenants. Nevertheless, the defendants executed another conveyance, Exhibit 17 on 30/10/68. On 14/12/70 the defendant’s appeal against the judgment in A2/CV/24/63 was finally disposed of in the Supreme Court. This notwithstanding, on the 25/4/73, about 2 1/2 years later, the defendants executed yet three more conveyances, Exhibits 12, 13 and 14. On 19/12/73 the plaintiffs brought this action.”

However, in a conclusion that runs contrary to the above findings, learned trial Judge, having also heard the respondents say they sold portions, of the land lis pendens to be able to prosecute the suit, she would not order forfeiture asked for. She further held that the customary tenant can maintain an action in trespass against his landlord so far he is in possession. This is the true law but always subject to condition that the landlord’s title to reversionary interest is not placed in jeopardy. She pointedly quoted Supreme Court decision in Lasisi & Anor v. Tubi & Anor. (1974) 12 S.C. 71, 74-76 where it was held inter alia as follows:-

“indeed, it will be more correct to say that, in so far as customary tenancy is concerned, our courts have always been willing and ready to grant a relief against forfeiture, except in an extreme case, where the refusal to grant it would tend to defeat the ends of justice. But such cases are few and far between.”

and also

“It is therefore obvious that, neither the overlord nor his successors-in-title, could dispose a customary tenant except it be by means of an action for forfeiture.”

In the opinion of the learned trial Judge, the purported sales of the portions of the disputed land before and after the institution of this suit were wrongful. She took this view after adverting to the defendants’ statement of defence admitting virtually every thing in the statement of claim except their plea of extenuating circumstances. It is however noteworthy that the learned trial Judge in her judgment found the respondents making futile attempt that since the promulgation of the Land Use Decree, the reversionary interests of the overlords were extinguished; to me even though it was not a point vigorously pursued, it insinuated that the respondents were still denying the title of their landlords or overlords. She then dismissed the claim for forfeiture and injunction. The dismissal was not on laches, acquiescence or standing by.

On appeal, the Court of Appeal was asked to consider the following issues raised by the appellants for determination

“1. Whether the learned trial Judge was right in dismissing the case of the plaintiffs when this was tantamount to granting to the defendant matter against forfeiture which he (the defendant) never sought in his pleadings

2. Whether the learned trial Judge was right in failing to grant the claims of the plaintiff notwithstanding the fact that all the matters relied upon by the plaintiffs were admitted by the defendant both by his pleading and evidence proffered
3. Whether the learned trial Judge was right in rejecting certain documents which were already tendered and admitted suo motu
4. Whether the learned trial Judge was right in refusing an application for amendment of the plaintiffs’ statement of claim even when it was necessary and proper for the purpose of determining in the suit the real questions in controversy between the parties.”

and the following for the respondents who contended the issues of the appellants were not germane.

“WHETHER the learned trial Judge’s exercise of her discretion to refuse to grant forfeiture was improper having regard to all the circumstances of this case and whether the decision was erroneous. I will urge my lords to answer and to hold that it was a proper and judicial exercise of discretion and that her decision was right.”

After adverting to the issues by the Court of Appeal and considering various authorities on forfeiture, to wit Uwani v. Nwosu Akom (1928) 8 NLR 19; Hamzat Amodu Onisiwo v. Gbamgboye VII WACA 69; Lawani v. Tadeyo 1944 10 WACA 37, it came to hold that each case must be determined on its special circumstance on what would be misconduct to justify forfeiture. Then Omololu-Thomas, J.C.A. in the lead judgment held those cases are apposite on the principles of forfeiture and went on to hold as follows:-

“I have examined the authorities cited by the learned appellants’ counsel namely –

1. Lasisi Orile v. Adelaja (1969) 1 NMLR 132 at 133;
2. Sadiku Eletu & Ors. v. Jimoh Omolewonniya & Anor. (1962) 2 All NLR 13 and 14; and
3. Lasisi v. Tubi (1974) 12 S.C. 71 at 75.

on what constitutes such misbehaviour as to incure a liability for forfeiture. These cases are apposite on his submissions on the principles he referred to. I have no doubt that the learned trial Judge considered the principles before arriving at her conclusion.

As to the submission of the learned appellants’ counsel on non-payment of Ishakole to the appellants; the learned trial Judge seems also to have considered the issue. I think that the law is clear that non-payment of tribute by itself is not inconsistent with ownership of the landlord vide Alade v. Aborishade (1960) 5 F.S.C. 167; (1960) SCNLR 398.

It is therefore not the law that where a customary tenant fails to pay tribute to his overlord that amounts to a misconduct that entails an automatic forfeiture of the tenancy. The passage to which the learned appellants’ counsel referred in Lasisi v. Tubi (supra)” was, according to the learned Justice taken out of con and quoted extensively from the trial court’s judgment indicating that minor misconduct should not be a ground for forfeiture.

He concluded that the acts of the respondents against their overlords were rightly held by the trial Judge not to be gross enough to justify granting the plaintiffs/appellants’ prayers. It must be pointed out that when the respondents, after all the decisions confirming they were customary tenants of the appellants, failed to pay Ishakole and continued to alienate parts of the disputed land, the learned trial Judge based part of her reasons for refusal on the appellants not making demand for the same.

The appeal to this court is on this decision of the Court of Appeal.

The plaintiffs/appellants in this appeal raised the following issues for determination:-

“Whether the plaintiffs/appellants by virtue of the pleadings exchanged between the parties, including the admitted facts and evidence led on both sides have established grounds entitling them to succeed on their claims for forfeiture and injunction against the defendants If the answer is in the affirmative whether the Court of Appeal was right in dismissing the case of the plaintiffs

Whether the Court of Appeal was right in granting the defendant relief against forfeiture which the defendant did not specifically plead

Whether the Court of Appeal was right in failing to hold that in view of the fact that the defendant admitted all the facts relied upon by the plaintiffs, the plaintiffs’ case against the defendant was established

Whether the Court of Appeal was right in failing to appreciate that the defendant who pleaded the equitable defences of laches, acquiescence and standing-by cannot at the time be seeking relief against forfeiture

Whether the Court of Appeal was right in granting the defendant/respondent relief from forfeiture notwithstanding the failure of the defendant to claim and/or counterclaim for relief from forfeiture in the trial court”

The defendant/respondent formulated only one issue to wit: Whether this court will interfere with the concurrent findings of the two courts below which refused the prayers for forfeiture and injunction.

To my mind the respondent has made little issue of a very serious situation. It is well established in a long line of cases that an appellate court will not interfere with findings of facts by the trial court; a fortiori the concurrent findings of fact by the trial court and the appellate court below. [Ude v. Ojechemi (1995) 8 NWLR (Pt.412) 152]. This is the general principle dictated by the very fact that the trial court was pre-eminently placed to hear and see the parties and their witnesses and evaluate their evidence and demeanour to arrive at what, to that court, is the truth of the case. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. In the present case the bulk of the evidence is documentary, that is to say, previous judgments on the land in dispute, documents showing according to the trial Judge herself that the respondents’ family wrongfully alienated substantial portions of the land in dispute even during the pending of the cases, and thereafter after they were confirmed as customary tenants of the appellants.

The statement of claim of the appellants is replete with the above enumerated wrongdoings going fundamentally to challenge the title of the appellants by the respondent. Clearly pleaded and admitted is the averment of the failure to pay “ishakole” by the respondent and right up to the conclusion of the trial before the High Court, there was no iota of evidence that the respondent’s family were contrite; rather in the face of the judgments against them by the Supreme Court after they lost right from Customary Court below indicating clearly they were customary tenants of the appellants, they continued acts of defiance and alienated more of the land in dispute.

If the decisions of the two courts below were allowed to stand, the appellant would have no more land. It is a pity the trial Judge approached the failure to pay ishakole cavalierly by holding that after the appellants’ family’s victory in the Supreme Court they failed to make demand for it. It must be clearly stated that once a final judgment is entered between the parties, facts therein are presumed to be to the knowledge of the parties and sometimes in cases of this nature, to the world at large.

Payment of Ishakole is automatic; it needs not be demanded under Yoruba customary law. At any rate, the trial Judge received no evidence that a demand was a condition precedent to the payment of lshakole. The respondent family virtually admitted all that the plaintiff/appellant pleaded except their plea that the Ajayi family honestly believed they owned the land absolutely. Does this belief affect the authority of the judgments of the various courts to the contrary. Can a party blatantly disrecognise a judgment

Again, it is remarkable that the respondent’s family in all their statement of defence never for a moment prayed for relief against forfeiture. The defendant/respondent pleaded laches, acquiescence and standing by as extenuating circumstances whereby the action of the appellant claiming forfeiture and injunction should not succeed without asking for relief against forfeiture. The main plank of this action leading to this appeal is not title (that has been decided long ago in favour of the appellants), but forfeiture for serious acts of misbehaviour clearly enumerated in the statement of claim, especially when a title has been clearly established, the following must be the guiding principles for the defendant:-

1. if the landlord has claimed forfeiture the defending tenant must seek relief against it either in his statement of defence or by way of counter claim;
2. if the landlord has not brought an action after his victory on title, the tenant may by originating summons seek relief against forfeiture;
3. a tenant seeking reliefs against forfeiture must do so unambiguously as he must join issue with the landlord on it.

The principles above are sine qua non for a tenant who wants to retain possession against a victorious landlord on title. The claim by plea of laches, acquiescence and standing by is like beating about the bush in the face of obvious claim. [Asani Taiwo & Ors. v. Adamo Akinwunmi & Ors. (1975) 4 S.C. 143, 170, 172; William Ladega v. Kasali Akinhiyi & Ors. (1975) 2 S.C. 91: Oniah & Ors. v. Onyia (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt.99) 514, 546]. The question of laches, acquiescence and standing by are very alien to Yoruba native law and custom because possession however long cannot be converted to title. Misconduct per se will not be a reason for automatic grant of forfeiture, albeit if that misconduct is confined to just a few members of the tenant family. [Alade v. Aborishade (1960) 5 F.S.C. 167; (1960) SCNLR 398; Nwani v. Akom (1928) 8 NLR 19; Inusa v. Oshodi (1934) A.C. 99].

But gross misconduct touching directly on the title of the landlord and as in this case after the final decision in the Supreme Court has confirmed the title of the landlord is a valid, and I must say, compelling ground for granting forfeiture [Dokubo v. Bob-Manuel (1967) 1 All NLR 113; Onisiwo v. Fagbenro (1954) XXI N.R. 31.

Therefore where a landlord claims forfeiture for gross misconduct and pleads it clearly as a claim, the tenant who has not sought and pleaded for a relief against forfeiture cannot have the relief. As the person who claims equity must patently do equity, the tenant with clearly proven act of gross-misconduct has an uphill task tackling claim for forfeiture, his position is aggravated by his failure to ask for relief against forfeiture.

In this case, right to this court, the respondent’s family, as customary tenants of the appellants, and so confirmed by the Supreme Court, remain non contrite and obdurate to their landlord and it is not in their mouth to say that they behaved correctly to justify refusal of forfeiture even if they ask for relief against it. [Oniah v. Onyia (supra).

The respondent’s family have not reneged on their fake assumption of title to the extent of admitting alienation of parcels of the land in dispute to “pay the cost of prosecuting” this case. [Inverted commas, mine]. This is a clear outrage against the rights of their overlord.

Above all, there was no evidence before the trial court of the claim of laches, acquiescence and standing by the respondent and simply pleading these equitable reliefs is no proof of them. I find the trial court was in error and the Court of Appeal succumbing to the same pitfall to refuse the appellants’ claim.

A tenant who turns round to challenge the title of his landlord has committed a gross misconduct and the misconduct is aggravated where there is a subsisting decision of the court that he is nothing but a tenant. In such a case he automatically forfeits his right to possession should the landlord claim it. The appellants’ family have been gravely wronged by the stance of the respondent’s family by their defiance and obduracy and purported alienation of the landlord’s land. Their holding right from the time of their ancestor, Ajayi, had always been for agricultural purpose, they portioned out substantial parts of the land for sale to strangers and for residential holdings as if they were the outright owners. The Ajayi family has also failed to put before the court triable issues to traverse the claim for forfeiture. Had the respondent family set out in their defence prayer for relief against forfeiture, all the very large issues of misconduct by them as in the statement of claim would have been traversed.

In the final analysis, this appeal has great merit. I allow the appeal and set aside the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the High Court. I therefore grant all the prayers of the plaintiffs/appellants on behalf of Olugbode family for forfeiture and injunction against the respondent who stood in for Ajayi family. I award N1,000.00 as costs of this appeal.

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SC.21/1990