Justice V.O.A. Oviawe of the Edo State High Court in Benin has declared Mr Albert Azin Okundaye as the legal and beneficial owner of a disputed parcel of land located at Uyinmwendin community, along Benin/Abraka Road in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Delivering judgment in a suit marked B/636/2022, the court held that the land in question measuring 1,000 feet by 1,000 feet is rightfully owned by Okundaye.

The property is covered by Survey Plan No. TNK/SURV/ED 17/089 dated December 28, 2017, and a Certificate of Occupancy registered as No. 179, Page 1, Volume 13 of the Certificate of Occupancy Digital Register at the EDOGIS Registry on April 23, 2020.

The 10 defendants in the suit were described as unknown developers who trespassed on the land without the claimant’s consent. Justice Oviawe, in affirming Okundaye’s title, stated: “I am satisfied therefore upon the evidence proffered, that the claimant has proved his title to the land in dispute, as required by law. Accordingly, judgment is hereby entered in favour of the claimant.”

The court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, or privies from further trespassing or interfering with the claimant’s rights.

In addition, it awarded general damages of N500,000 in favour of Mr Okundaye.