Abiodun Adelaja Vs Olatunde Fanoiki & Anor (1990)

LawGlobal-Hub Lead Judgment Report

KARIBI-WHYTE, J.S.C.

This is an appeal to this court from the judgment of the Court of Appeal Division, Ibadan, against the dismissal of the appeal of the appellants against the judgment of Olowofoyeku, J., of the High Court of Oyo State, sitting at Ibadan.

Appellants were the plaintiffs in the court of trial.

Plaintiff, Abiodun Adelaja, had brought this action as Attorney for Victor Oludemi, against Olatunde Fanoiki, as the defendant. The facts of the case are quite simple and not complicated. The action as endorsed on the writ of summons is for-

(1) Declaration of title to all that piece or parcel of land, lying and being and situated at Tabontabon village, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria and shown on the plan attached to the deed of conveyance dated the 16th day of June, 1958 and registered as No. 19 at page 19 in volume 254 of the lands registry in the office at Ibadan.

(2) N500.00 (Five Hundred Naira) damages for trespass committed in 1972 by the defendants, their agents and/or servants on the said land belonging to and in possession of the plaintiffs situated land lying and being at Tabontabon village, Oke-Ado, Ibadan Oyo State of Nigeria and as described in the said deed of conveyance recited above.

(3) Injunction restraining the defendants agents and/or servants from further trespassing on the said land or any portion thereof.

On the application of the defendant, the second and third defendants were joined by order of court. After pleadings had been settled, the 3rd defendant was reported to have died and the plaintiff withdrew the action against the 3rd defendant who was accordingly struck out of the action. After due trial of the action, the plaintiff’s claim against the first defendant was dismissed. He was non-suited against the second defendant.

As against the 1st defendant, the learned trial Judge held that the plaintiff having failed to prove due execution of the conveyance (exhibit” A”) to him by the grantors, has failed to discharge the onus on him that “exhibit A” has divested the Alade family of the interest alleged conveyed. He therefore cannot be entitled to a declaration of title as claimed or other interest, which by section 40 of the Land Use Decree No.6 of 1978 he is entitled to have if the claim in declaration of title were to be established. Accordingly, the claims for damages for trespass and injunction sought failed. As against the second defendant, the trial Judge heard submissions whether there should be an order for a non-suit. After observing that the second defendant was joined by order of court at the instance of the first defendant and relying on Craig v. Craig (1966) I All N. L. R. 173, held.

“If the plaintiff is given a second chance to prove his case and succeeds, the 2nd defendant would certainly not be wronged because such would establish that he had already divested himself to the plaintiff of right or title to the balance of the land, being 77% of the subject matter of plaintiff’s claim, and that would prevent him from taking an unfair advantage due to the lapse of the plaintiff in this case” (See p. 65 lines 27-35).

Plaintiffs appealed to the Court of Appeal against the decision. As a whole, eighteen grounds of appeal were filed. However, only eleven were argued before the court. Their Lordships in the Court of Appeal in dismissing the appeal agreed with the learned trial judge and held that the appellant had failed to prove due execution of the deed of conveyance, exhibit A on which he relied. Accordingly, the Alade family was in a position to sell the area in dispute to the 1st defendant/respondent since its alleged divestiture to the plaintiff/appellant over a decade earlier had not been established.

On the issue whether the pleadings were in a confused state, the Court of Appeal held that issues were properly joined at the close of pleadings and judgment was delivered on the issues as joined. It was held that since the amendment of the statement of claim did not raise any new issues requiring amendment of the statement of defence, amendment of the statement of defence was not necessary.

The second respondent did not appeal against the order of non-suit against him. Appellant has further appealed the adverse decision against him.

Appellant filed only one ground of appeal within time. With leave of the court, extension of time to file four additional grounds of appeal was granted. The grounds of appeal excluding the particular are as follows-

Original

(1) The court erred in law when it held: “To qualify for the presumption, the document containing the recitals etc. in which is sought to be relied upon must be twenty years old, calculated from the “date of contract. ”

When all that is required to qualify the presumption contemplated by section 129 of the Evidence Act, the deed must be 20 years old “at” the date of contract calculated on the face of the deed without any reference to the date of the proceedings” Additional Grounds of Appeal.

Ground 1.

The learned Justices of Appeal erred in law and on fact when they failed to discharge their judicial duty of considering and pronouncing on issues raised on pleadings, evidence and law before them and thus, upholding the findings of facts and judgment of the lower court to the detriment of the appellants.

Ground 2.

The learned Justices of Appeal erred in law when they said no evidence was in fact led in proof of execution besides the ipse dixit of the plaintiff (appellant) when they failed to evaluate at all the issue of execution and registration of appellants conveyance admitted as exhibit “A” and thereby making no finding on that issue to the detriment of the appellant .

Ground 3.

The learned Justices of Appeal erred in law when they failed to consider and evaluate the claim of appellant or the defence of the respondents and thereby coming to the wrong decision .

Ground 4.

The learned Justices of Court of Appeal, erred in law and on facts to have, as the lower court had done, dismissed the appellant’s case against the first respondent but non-suiting the appellant against the second respondent where there is sufficient evidence entitling the appellant to the judgment of the lower court as well as to the Court of Appeal. Counsel filed their briefs of argument, which they relied upon at the hearing of the Appeal. Counsels have framed issues for determination differently, although whilst appellant is challenging respondent is defending the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

It is now fairly well settled that the issues for determination in the appeal formulated must of necessity be limited by, circumscribed and fall within the scope of the grounds of appeal filed. Since they arise from the grounds of appeal, the issues ought to take account of the grounds of appeal and cannot raise issues outside their contemplation. It is therefore not usually envisaged that the issues for determination will be more in number than the grounds of appeal on which they are based. Since the issues for determination are highlights of the grounds of appeal, they usually are framed in terms of related grounds of appeal supporting the same issue. Hence the issues for determination are usually less but never more than the number of the grounds of appeal filed.

Mr. Odeleye, counsel to the appellants has indicated seven issues for determination as arising from the five grounds of appeal filed on behalf of the appellant. For the sake of clarity, I reproduce here below the issues for determination as formulated by counsel to the appellant. I have already set out in this judgment the grounds of appeal relied upon.

Issues for determination.

“(3.01) Whether the appellant can maintain action against the first respondent, and if so, whether the appellant has proved his case to entitle him to judgment and not to the dismissal of his suit against the first respondent and non-suiting him against the second respondent.

(3.02) Whether failure on the part of the appellant to prove that exhibit “A” is 20 years old, coupled with appellant’s inadvertent omission to comply with section 99 of the evidence act would be absolutely fatal to plaintiff’s case when documents executed by illiterate grantor/grantors and intended to be and was being relied on by the appellant had complied strictly with section 8 of the land instruments registration law of Oyo State.

(3.03) Whether having regards to section 151 of the property and conveyancing law cap. 99 of Oyo State, the Court of Appeal had examined at all issues of priority among competing registered instruments, proper attestation and presumption of due executants raised by pleadings, evidence and exhibits and had sufficiently scrutinised such issues, evidence and exhibits before them before affirming the judgment of the lower court.

(3.04) Whether having regards to section 193 of the property and conveyancing law cap. 99 of Oyo State, pleadings and the totality of evidence given by the first respondent the first respondent was/is not deemed to have sufficient and actual notice of previous dealing with the plaintiff with the land in dispute.

(3.05) Whether the appellant and the first respondent can be concurrently in possession of the same land in dispute when they were neither joint tenants nor tenants in common.

(3.06) Whether in view of paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 respectively of the plaintiff’s amended Statement of Claim, paragraphs 5, 6, and 10 respectively of the first defendant’s Statement of Defence and paragraph 1 of the second and third defendant’s Statement of Defence, the commission of crime which requires strict proof is or is not directly in issue in the appeal.

(3.07) Whether the failure of the second respondent, even though served with appellant’s brief or being represented on appeal is not a clear evidence from which collusion between the first and the second respondents, could be reasonably inferred.”

It seems to me fairly easy on examination of the grounds of appeal to come to the conclusion that the issues formulated in 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, and 3.07 are not issues which arise from the grounds of appeal filed. No ground of appeal calls for their determination, and indeed the judgment of the court below was not concerned with any of the issues and many pronouncements on them. It may be necessary in the determination of the issues on the grounds of appeal to consider any of the issues raised as a subsidiary issue relevant to the determination of the substantive issue raised in the grounds of appeal. This by itself does not elevate a subsidiary issue to a substantive issue.

All the grounds of appeal filed by appellant were based on the judgment of the court below dismissing the appeal of the plaintiffs/appellant for failing to prove due execution of the conveyance (exhibit “A”) on which they relied for their claim to title. A fortiori, the issues for determination should be formulated around the errors of the court below in coming to their conclusion.

I think I will accept the formulation of the issues for determination as in 1st respondent’s brief where it was stated as follows-

“(i) Did exhibit “A” that is Deed of Conveyance dated 16th June, 1958 and registered as 19/19/254, Ibadan pass any property of 2nd respondent family that is Alade family to Victor Oludemi represented by the appellant

(ii) Was the appellant entitled to the presumption arising from sec. 122 of the Evidence Act

(iii) Was sec. 129 of the Evidence Act properly interpreted by the Court of Appeal as contemplated by the section”

These three issues accurately accentuate the issues involved in the determination of the question of the position of the conveyance; exhibit “A”, and the title of Victor Oludemi, in the claims of the plaintiff/appellant.They cover a substantial part of the grounds of appeal filed by the appellant. I must however point out that ground 4 of the additional grounds of appeal which complained about error in non-suiting the 2nd respondent is not included in the above three issues. I will therefore accordingly add the fourth issue, this is-

“(iv) Whether the plaintiff/appellant is not entitled to judgment as claimed against the 2nd respondent against who there was an order for non-suit, and against the 1st respondent in respect of whom plaintiff’s claim was dismissed.”

I shall in my judgment in this appeal rely on these four issues, which I think represent the issues relevant to the determination of the errors alleged in the grounds of appeal. It seems to me that the trial Judge as well as the court below relied entirely on proof of due execution of exhibit “A”, the conveyance to Victor Oludemi, in the determination of the claims before them. This is expressed by the court below in their judgment when they said:

“The only question that is left to be decided, as posed earlier, is whether the appellant has succeeded in discharging the onus on him to prove due execution of the document exhibit “A”. As correctly found by the trial Judge, in view of the denial by at least two of the signatories thereto by the pleadings, and to confirmation of such denial in evidence on oath by one of them, the second defendant/respondent, of the contention of the plaintiff that they executed exhibit “A” in order to prove execution, the plaintiff/appellant must fall back on the provisions of section 99 of the evidence act.”

After setting out the provisions of section 99 of the evidence act, the court below went on to observe that the plaintiff merely relied on his ipse dixit for proof of due execution and called no evidence, and laid the blame for such a lapse on counsel. The court then concluded at p. 121:

“I agree with the trial Judge as to the consequence of this failure as postulated by him, to wit, that the plaintiff’s claim must fail because the Alade family was in a position to sell the area of the land in dispute to the 1st defendant/respondent, its alleged divestiture thereof to the plaintiff over a decade earlier not having been established.”

The substance of this contention is that if plaintiff/appellant had proved due execution of exhibit “A” such proof would have been sufficient to divest the entire interest of the Alade family, represented by the 2nd defendant/ respondent in the land in dispute. Accordingly, having not proved due execution of exhibit “A” there was still interest of the Alade family in the land in dispute which they could transfer and did transfer to the 1st respondent.

The contention is predicated on the following findings. First, that both Victor Oludemi, who plaintiff represents, and Olatunde Fanoiki, the 1st defendant/respondent, trace their title to the Alade family. Secondly, both of them rely on conveyances, i.e. exhibit “A” for Victor Oludemi, and exhibits “E” and “F” for Olatunde Fanoiki, executed on behalf of the Alade family by their representatives in the persons of the 2nd and 3rd defendants/respondents. Thirdly, that exhibits “A”, “E”2 are registered under the land instruments registration law. Fourthly, that plaintiff established that he was at all times after the execution of the deed in possession of the land in dispute. Fifthly, the first defendant/respondent started and completed his building on the land in dispute with actual knowledge that plaintiff was claiming to be the owner. Finally, the 2nd and 3rd defendants denied selling any land to Victor Oludemi, or the execution of any conveyance in his favour. In fact, 2nd defendant/respondent confirmed on oath and denied knowing Victor Oludemi.

Mr. Odeleye for the appellant has submitted relying on Kodilinye v. Mbanefo Odu (1935) 2 W.A.C.A. 336, that where two contesting parties claim to derive title from a common grantor, there will be judgment for the party, who successfully traces his title to that common grantor. Whilst I accept this proposition, the better formulation is as follows. Where both parties claim and succeed in tracing their title in respect of the same piece of land to the same grantor, the principle has long been established that the later in time of the two or more persons to obtain a grant cannot maintain an action against the person who first obtained a grant. This is because the grantor having divested himself of his title in respect of the disputed piece of land has nothing left to convey to a subsequent purchaser. A grantor can only convey what he has, the principle is nemo dat quod no habet. See Boulos v. Odunsi (1959) S.C.N.L.R. 591; Coker v. Animashawun (1960) L.L.R. 71; Adamo Akeju, Chief Obanikoro v. Chief Suenu, Alimi Kuti and Chief Oluwa (1925) 6 N.L.R. 87. Mr. Odeleye submitted that Victor Oludemi has traced his title to the Alade family by virtue of the conveyance exhibit “A” made on the 18th June, 1958 and registered as no. 19 at page 19 in volume 254 of the Register of Deeds, Ibadan. The first respondent has also traced his title to the same grantor, i.e. Alade family in exhibit’ ‘E” and “F”, i.e. Conveyance made on the 4th February, 1972, and registered as no. 17 at page 17 in volume 1350 and no. 21 at page 21 in volume 1350 in the land registry at Ibadan. Counsel relying on the provisions of sections 18(1)-(5) and 81 of the Land Instruments Registration Law (Cap. 56) of Oyo State and Aiyedun T. Jules v. Raimi Ajani (1980) 5-7 S.C. 96 at p. 113 submitted that where a party to a case enters a certified copy of a deed kept at the land registry, as in the instant case, there is a presumption of due execution of the documents in his favour by the executants.

Counsel to the appellant referred to the fact of the prior registration of exhibit “A” on 16th June, 1958 on which appellant relies before the registration of exhibits “E” and “F” on 4th February, 1972 on which the 1st respondent relies and submitted that both lower courts ignored this fact and concentrated on the question whether exhibit’ ‘A” was not 20 years old at that time of the supporting contract. It was submitted that if the conveyances were examined in their proper con, the courts would have discovered that their execution was in accordance with sections 18 and 31 of the land instruments registration law, and that the 1st respondent had actual notice of the previous dealing with the land in dispute.

These submissions are in support of the issue whether exhibit’ “A” passed any property of 2nd respondent family, i.e. the Alade family, to Victor Oludemi, represented by the appellant. Chief Sokan, counsel to the 1st respondent both in his brief of argument, which he adopted, and in his oral argument before us submitted, in support of the judgment of the two courts below, that the respondents having denied executing the conveyance to Victor Oludemi, although they admitted selling to and executing a conveyance exhibit’ ‘B” to his attorney, the appellant, 2nd respondents admitted selling to and executing exhibits “E” and “F” to the 1st respondent. Counsel submitted that although exhibit “A” was tendered in evidence, in the face of the evidence of the respondents it can only satisfy the proof of due execution by satisfying the provisions of section 99 of the evidence act. It was submitted that exhibit “A” was not yet 20 years old. Appellant has failed to call the requisite evidence of execution and not entitled to the presumption of due execution has failed to show that the Alade family has divested itself of its interest in the land in dispute and passed any property in respect of the land in dispute to Victor Oludemi.

It is obvious from this submission that counsel to the 1st respondent is relying entirely on the argument that plaintiff has failed to discharge the onus on him that the Alade family passed any property in dispute to Victor Oludemi. It is important to appreciate the nature of the 1st respondent’s argument. The contention is that since the Alade family did not sell any land to Victor Oludemi, it is preposterous to conceive of the execution of a conveyance in his favour. Thus, exhibit “A” is not their deed. This is not merely that they are denying their signatures, but they are denying the document exhibit “A” in its entirety. The Court of Appeal agreed with the trial Judge that the question is whether appellant has succeeded in discharging the onus on him to prove due execution of the document exhibit “A”. Both the court below and trial Judge took the view that 2nd respondent having denied executing any conveyance in favour of Victor Oludemi, the onus is on the appellant to prove due execution. The question therefore is whether the Alade family sold the land in dispute and executed exhibit “A” in consequence or that exhibit “A” is forgery. If it is the former, then appellant would have established his claim to a declaration of title. If it is the latter, the claim fails and will stand dismissed. There was evidence before the court that exhibit “A” was registered and in compliance with S.18 of Land Instruments Registration Law of Oyo State. It has not been contended by respondent that there is no finding that section 18 was not complied with. exhibit “A” is a certified copy of the original and was received in evidence by virtue of section 31(1) of Land Instruments Registration Law which provides- “Every such certified copy shall be received in evidence without any or other proof in all civil cases”.

I shall now refer to the denial of the second respondent that the Alade family sold the disputed land or any land, to Victor Oludemi, which is the crux of their defence to the claim. I agree entirely with the counsel to the appellant that respondent are complaining about any defect in exhibit “A” and section 27 of Land Instruments Registration Law, is therefore irrelevant. The contention tantamount to denial of exhibit “A” in my opinion where the complaint is that no such document exists the proof of the existence of such document is conclusive as to its validity, except where the person challenging the existence of the document is able to show further that the document so proved to exist is a forgery. It is in such a circumstance well settled that the onus of such a proof rests on who alleges. See S.137(2) Evidence Act. In such a case, since a crime is alleged, the burden is on him who alleges to prove it beyond reasonable doubt. 1st respondent, having not led evidence to show that exhibit “A” is a forgery has not discharged the burden of proof to show that exhibit “A” is a forgery. – See Ikoku v. Oli (1962) 1 All N.L.R. (Vol) Part 1194 of 1199.

Exhibit “A” is a Certified True Copy of the original and registered in accordance with S.18 of the Land Instruments Registration Law of Oyo State. The main plank on which the court below rested its decision is the contention that there was no due execution of exhibit “A “. This is also the ground relied upon by counsel to the 1st respondent. The contention was that 2nd respondent having denied executing any conveyance in favour of Victor Oludemi, and exhibit “A” being less than twenty years old does not come within the presumptions for due execution in sections 122 or 129 of the Evidence Act.

It seems to me that this is an entirely erroneous view of the law and a disregard to the requirements of the provisions of sections 18(1) and 31(2) of the Land Instruments Registration Law. I have already reproduced the provisions of section 31 (2) in this judgment.

Section 18(1)-(5) provides-

“18(1) any person desiring that any instruments shall be registered shall deliver the same together with a copy thereof and the prescribed fee to the registrar at the office.

(2) The registrar shall, immediately after such delivery, place upon the instrument and upon the copy thereof a certificate, as in Form B in the first schedule.

(3) Unless the instrument is one which is declared by this law to be void or the registration of which is prohibited by this law, the registrar shall compare the copy of the instrument with the original and if he shall find such copy to be a true copy and to comply with any regulations made under this law and for the time being in force he shall certify the same by writing thereon the words “Certified True Copy” and appending his signature thereto.

(4) The registrar shall thereupon register the instrument by causing the copy so certified to be pasted or bound in one of the registrar books and by endorsing upon the original instrument a certificate as in Form C in the first schedule; and upon such registration the year, month, day and hour specified in the certificate indorsed on the instrument in pursuance of subsection (2) shall be taken to be the year, month, day and hour at which the instrument was registered.

(5) The original instrument shall thereafter, upon application, be returned to the person who shall have delivered it for registration:

Provided that if application for the return of the instrument is not made within twelve months after the date of registration the registrar may destroy the instrument.”

Section 31 (1) provides-

“The registrar shall upon request give a certified copy of any entry in any such register book or register, or of any filed document.”

The effect of a combined reading of section 18(1)-(5), 31 (1) and (2) of the Land Instruments Registration Law is that the certified copy of a conveyance registered in accordance with sections 18(3) & (4) will be admitted in evidence in accordance with section 30(1), and in accordance with section 31(2) “shall be received in evidence without any further or other proof in all civil cases.” This construction of the provisions is supported by the recent decision of this court in Aiyedoun T. Jules v. Raimi Ajani (1980) 5-7 S.C. 96. The facts of Jules v. Ajani (supra) are in all material respects identical with the facts of the case before us. In both cases, the deed of conveyance involved relied upon for title is a Certified True Copy of the original. In each case, proof of due execution was in issue. In each case, the parties who sold the land in dispute denied the sale and the fact that they executed any conveyance in favour of the party relying on it. The instant case is stronger because exhibit “A” contains the signatures of the parties, the Magistrate and the interpreter, which are absent in Jules v. Ajani (supra). I consider it proper to postulate and Jules v. Ajani (supra) is authority for the proposition that where a Certified True Copy of a registered deed of conveyance is properly received in evidence, this will be sufficient for the proof of due execution of such deed of conveyance – See Cardoso v. Daniel (1966) I All N.L.R. 25. The question whether the deed of conveyance admitted in evidence is proof of its execution does not come within the presumption of due execution prescribed under section 122 or 129 of the Evidence Act. It falls clearly within the statutory provision of section 31(2) of the Land Instruments Registration Law Cap. 56 Laws of Oyo State , Vol. III.

I do not think it was necessary to consider the presumptions in sections 122 and section 129 of the Evidence Act. These provisions are clearly irrelevant to the facts of this case. It was therefore not necessary for the Court of Appeal to consider the applicability of those sections of the Evidence Act. This is a complete answer to the question of the presumptions and disposes of the second and third issues for determination in this appeal.

I now turn to the first issue whether exhibit “A” passed any property of 2nd respondent family to Victor Oludemi, represented by the appellant. I have already held that appellant has established due execution of exhibit “A”. There was thus, a valid conveyance, exhibit “A”, between appellant and the 2nd respondent family. 1st respondent also established due execution of exhibit “E” and “F”. It follows therefore that both appellant and 1st respondent have proved due execution and prima facie established their title each tracing it to the Alade family. There is evidence that exhibit “A” was executed on the 16th June, 1958, and exhibits “E” & “F” on the 3rd February, 1972. Counsel to the appellant has submitted that the land in exhibits “E” and “F” purported to have been sold to the 1st respondent, by the 2nd respondent had earlier been sold to Victor Oludemi by the Alade family. Counsel to the appellant has contended that the Alade family having divested itself of their title to the appellant are incapable of validly conveying the same piece of land or any part thereof to the first respondent thereafter in 1972. I agree. It is well settled that a person can only convey to another that which he has. Nemo dat quod non habet. Since the Alade family had divested itself of its property in the land in dispute, it had nothing left to convey to any other person. The conveyance to the first respondent of the same piece of land by the Alade family in exh. E & F is therefore void.-See Coker v. Animashawun (1960) L.L.R. 71 at p. 73. Boulos v. Odunsi [1959] S.C.N.L.R. 591; (1959) 4 F.S.C. 234.

Both the court below and the trial Judge were therefore in error in holding that the Alade family was in a position to sell the area of land in dispute to the 1st respondent. Appellant as plaintiff claiming declaration of title must succeed or fail on the strength of his own case which rests entirely on exhibit “A” -Kodilinye v. Odu 2 W.A.C.A. 336. Appellant has proved that there was due execution of exhibit “A” which vests in Victor Oludemi all the property of the Alade family in the land in dispute, has established the title of appellant to the land in dispute. The appellant has satisfied the second of the five methods stated for establishing in a claim for declaration of title to land in Idundun v. Okumagba (1976) I N.M.L.R. 200. This is because appellant has produced documents of title, exhibit “A”, which is duly authenticated and registered, requiring no further proof of due execution.

Appellant’s claim for trespass and damages was dismissed in both courts below on the ground that he did not prove title to the land in dispute. First respondent is not denying entry into the land in dispute. He in fact has laid claim to the land relying on exhibit “E” and “F”, as deriving title from the Alade family similarly with the appellant. First respondent has also completed his building on the land. There was evidence that he started the building with knowledge that appellant was disputing his title, he continued and completed the building despite warnings to him by the appellant and notice of the prior right of the appellant. Appellant has given evidence of his possession of the land in dispute and first respondent in his evidence confirmed that appellant disturbed him while he was digging the foundation of the building in 1973. Appellant gave uncontradicted evidence of how he used to clear the property of weeds; at least twice a year. He exercised various acts of possession including filling up the foundation dug by the first respondent for his proposed building.

I think the law is now well settled that every person in exclusive possession of land can bring an action for trespass against any person other than the true owner, or a person with a better title in respect of any interference with his possession. This is because exclusive possession gives the person in possession the right to remain in possession and to undisturbed enjoyment of it against every other person except a person who can establish a better title. It is nonetheless a trespass and not a defence that the person in possession appears to have acquired title from the wrong person. See Solanke v. Abed (1962) N.N.L.R. 92; Pius Amakor v. Benedict Obiefuna (1974) 3 S.C. 67.

Appellant has succeeded in establishing that Victor Oludemi was in exclusive possession of the land in dispute. It has also been shown that the Alade family divested all their interest in the land in dispute to Victor Oludemi. It has also been shown that members of Alade family purported to convey interest in the disputed land to 1st respondent subsequent to the conveyance to Victor Oludemi. In the circumstances, the courts below ought to have found for the appellant in his claim for trespass and granted the order for injunction. The judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the decision of the High Court is accordingly set aside. The appellant is accordingly entitled to the declaration of title claimed in his writ of summons.

The Court of Appeal affirmed the judgment of the trial court which consulted the plaintiff in respect of his claim against the 2nd defendant. The trial Judge held that since plaintiff failed to prove due execution of exhibit “A”, he had failed to prove his title. But he entered a non-suit because as he observed, “If the plaintiff is given a second chance to prove his case and succeeds, the 2nd defendant would certainly not be wronged because such would only establish that he had already divested himself to the plaintiff of right or title to the balance of the land, being 77% of the subject matter of plaintiff’s claim and that would prevent him from taking an unfair advantage due to the lapse of the plaintiff in this case. ” (See p. 65, lines 27-35).

The learned Judge concluded as follows-

“I am of the view that it is the plaintiff who would be wronged if his claim against the 2nd defendant is dismissed in circumstance.”

There is no doubt that the learned Judge was of the opinion that plaintiff/appellant did not prove his case against the 2nd defendant.

What then is the case against the 2nd defendant I have already set out the claim as on the writ of summons. It is a claim against all the defendants. It is pertinent to observe that 2nd defendant, seems to have been satisfied with the order for non-suit of the claims against him because he was neither represented in the appeal, nor was a brief of argument filed on his behalf.

The case against the 2nd defendant is that as a representative of the Alade family, he and another conveyed the land in dispute to Victor Oludemi. The relevant paragraphs of the Statement of Claim read,

“(6) The 2nd and 3rd defendants and one Adebayo Alade are all members of Alade family of Alade compound, Tabontabon village, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

‘(8) The plaintiff avers that the said Victor Oludemi through the plaintiff purchased in March, 1958, a large piece or parcel of Alade family land inclusive of the portion of the land which the defendants trespassed upon, from Adebayo Alade, Adetohun Alade and Yesufu Alade (the 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively) all members of Alade family of Alade compound, Tabontabon village, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, under native law and custom.

“(11) The plaintiff avers that on 16th day of June, 1958, one Adebayo Alade, Adetohun Alade and Yesufu Alade, (2nd and 3rd defendants respectively) for themselves also on behalf and with the consent of the entire members of Alade family of Tabontabon village, Ode-Ado, Ibadan, executed a Deed of Conveyance of the said large piece or parcel of land referred to in paragraphs 8 and 9 supra in favour of Victor Oludemi. The said Deed of Conveyance with a copy of the plan referred to in paragraph 9 supra is registered as no. 19 at page 19 in volume 254 of the lands registry in the office at Ibadan. ”

In his amendment to his Statement of Claim, the plaintiff in a new paragraph 22(A) pleaded as follows

“22(A) The plaintiff will at the trial of this case rely on and raise the following legal issues;

(1) That 2nd and 3rd defendants (joined by Adebayo Alade) acting for themselves and with the consent of the entire members of the Alade family having divested themselves of the area verged ‘Blue’ by selling and conveying to Victor Oludemi in 1958, have nothing to sell or convey to the 1st defendant in 1971 or 1972 or at any other time thereafter being already encumbered, nemo dat quod no habet.”

The 2nd and 3rd defendants in paragraph 1 of their Statement of Defence specifically denied selling to or executing any conveyance of any land by Alade family to the plaintiff; but they in paragraph 2 admitted that they are members of Alade family. In paragraph 5 they admitted selling two plots to Abiodun Adelaja, attorney to Victor Oludemi. Whilst admitting in paragraph 4 that they sold the land in dispute to the 1st defendant, they denied selling any land to Victor Oludemi. In paragraph 6, they pleaded that;

“(6) In the criminal case at the Magistrate Court, it was Abiodun Adelaja who claimed ownership of the land now claimed to have been sold to Victor Oludemi.”

Thus, the ground on which issue was joined was whether the 2nd and 3rd defendants sold the land in dispute to Victor Oludemi. If the trial Judge had not taken the erroneous view as to the onus of proof of due execution of exhibit “A” which he did, and had appreciated the correct interpretation of sections 18 and 31 (2) of the Land Instruments Registration Law, and the recent decision of this court in Jules v. Ajani (supra), he would have come to the correct conclusion that there was due execution of exhibit “A”, i.e. the conveyance by the defendants to Victor Oludemi of the land in dispute by the Alade family and that the 2nd and 3rd defendants conveyed the land to Victor Oludemi. Accordingly, he ought to have held that plaintiff had proved the case against the 2nd defendant. The question of a non-suit therefore did not arise.

The correct decision should have been that the appellant proved his claim against the defendants and was therefore entitled to the declaration of title, trespass and injunction as claimed.

Accordingly, I allow the appeal of the appellants and set aside the judgment of the courts below and that of the trial Judge of the High Court of Oyo State at Ibadan.

The title in respect of all that piece or parcel of land at Tabontabon village, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, and registered as no. 19 at page 19 in volume 254 of the land registry, Ibadan, is hereby declared to be vested in Victor Oludemi.

Respondents shall pay N500 as damages in respect of trespass committed to the said land. Respondents, their servants and or agents are restrained from further trespassing on the said land.

Respondents shall pay to the appellants costs of this appeal assessed at N500 in this court, N300 in the court below and N300 in the High Court.

NNAMANI, J.S.C.:- I had a preview of the judgment just delivered by my learned brother, Karibi-Whyte, J.S.C., and I entirely agree with his reasoning and conclusions.

The issue in contention between the parties is fairly straightforward. While the plaintiff contended that the 2nd and 3rd defendants at the High Court (the 3rd defendant is deceased and the 2nd defendant never appealed against the decision of the High Court) on behalf of the Alade family executed a conveyance of the land in dispute in favour of Victor Oludemi and so had no property left to transfer to the 1st defendant/respondent, the 2nd and 3rd defendants not only denied ever selling any land to Victor Oludemi, but denied their signatures on Victor Oludemi’s conveyance which was tendered in these proceedings as exhibit “A”. They admitted selling 2 plots in the same land to the plaintiff/appellant and the conveyance was tendered as exhibit “B”. They also admitted executing conveyances exhibit “E” and “F” of the same land in favour of 1st respondent herein.

These contentions are perhaps better brought out in paragraphs 11 of the amended Statement of Claim and 1 and 2 of the Statement of Defence of the 2nd and 3rd defendants. In the said paragraph 11, the plaintiff/appellant averred as follows:

“(11) The plaintiff avers that on 16th day of June, 1958, one Adebayo Alade, Adetohun Alade and Yesufu Alade (2nd and 3rd defendants respectively) for themselves also on behalf and with the consent of the entire members of Alade family of Tabontabon village, Ode-Ado, Ibadan, executed a Deed of Conveyance of the said large piece or parcel of land referred to in paragraphs 8 and 9 supra in favour of Victor Oludemi. The said deed of conveyance with a copy of the plan referred to in paragraph 9 supra is registered as no. 19 at page 19 in volume 254 of the lands registry in the office at Ibadan.”

In the said paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Statement of Defence, the 2nd and 3rd defendants averred as follows:

“(1) The 2nd and 3rd defendants did not sell or execute any conveyance of any land by Alade family to the plaintiff

(2) The 2nd and 3rd defendants admit that they are members of Alade family. ”

At the end of the trial, the learned trial Judge dismissed the case against the 1st respondent and non-suited the plaintiff in respect of the case against the 2nd defendant. He held that the plaintiff had failed to prove due execution of exhibit “A”, and so there was property to be conveyed to the 1st respondent. The Court of Appeal affirmed this decision holding not only that the plaintiff failed to prove due execution of exhibit “A”, but that the document cannot enjoy the presumption of due execution contained in sections 122 and 129 of the Evidence Act.

The appellant has appealed on grounds of appeal, which has been set down in the lead judgment. Like my learned brother, I am of the view that the issues for determination as set out by learned counsel to the 1st respondent bring out clearly the matter before this court.

The issues were:

“(i) Did exhibit “A” that is deed of conveyance dated 16th June, 1958 and registered as 19/19/254 Ibadan pass any property of 2nd respondent family that is Alade family to Victor Oludemi represented by the appellant

(ii) Was the appellant entitled to the presumption arising from section 122 of the Evidence Act

(iii) Was section 129 of the Evidence Act properly interpreted by the Court of Appeal as contemplated by the section”

One of the issues as stated by learned counsel to the appellant is also relevant to the question of the execution of exhibit “A”. The issue according to him is:

“(3.02) Whether failure on the part of the appellant to prove that exhibit “A” is 20 years old, coupled with appellant’s inadvertent omission to comply with section 99 of the Evidence Act would be absolutely fatal to plaintiff’s case when documents executed by illiterate grantor/grantors and intended to be and was being relied on by the appellant had complied strictly with section 8 of the Land Instruments Registration Law of Oyo State”.

In his brief of argument, learned counsel to the appellant submitted that if a party tenders a Certified True Copy of a deed kept at the land registry, there is a presumption of due execution of the said document in his favour by the executants. He relied on sections 18(1)-(5) and 31 of the Land Instruments Registration Law (Cap. 56) of Oyo State which is in pari materia with section 18(1)-(5) and 30 of the Land Instruments Registration Law of western region of Nigeria which was considered by this court in Aiyedoun T. Jules v. Raimi Ajani (1980) 5-7 S.C. 96, 113. Although the Jules’ case was raised in appellant’s brief, learned counsel to the 1st respondent did not advert to it in his brief of argument. In his oral argument, however, he submitted that that case is not applicable.

I have examined the decision of this court in Jules and I am also satisfied that it is applicable to this case. There as in this case, the issue was one of due execution. Unlike in this case where the signatures of the “alleged” executants are on exhibit “A” and the jurat administered by a Chief Magistrate to the illiterate grantors is also present, in the Jules’ case the document in question was blank. Still this court, after construing sections 18(1)-(5) and 30 of the Land Instruments Registration Law of western region which are in pari materia with sections 18(1)-(5) and 31 of Cap. 56 of Oyo State, held that there was a presumption of due execution.

Paragraphs 18(1) (3) and (5), and 31(1) and (2) of Cap. 56 are in these terms:

“18(1) any person desiring that any instrument shall be registered shall deliver the same together with a true copy thereof and the prescribed fee to the registrar at the office . . .

(3) Unless the instrument is one which is declared by the law to be void or the registration of which is prohibited by this law, the registrar shall compare the copy of the instrument with the original and if he shall find such a copy to be a true copy and to comply with any regulations made under this law and for the time being in force he shall certify the same by writing thereon “Certified True Copy” and appending his signature thereto . . .

(5) The original instrument shall thereafter upon application be returned to the person who shall have delivered it for signature . . .

“31 (1) The registrar shall upon request give a certified copy of any entry in any such register book or register, or of any filed document,

(2) Every such certified copy shall be received in evidence, without any further or other proof in all civil cases.”

It is pertinent to mention that as was the case in Jules, neither the High Court nor the Court of Appeal in the instant case was addressed on the sections of the Land Instruments Registration Law referred to above nor was the Jules’ case cited to those two courts. Sections 99 and 129 of the Evidence Act were however canvassed in Jules as here.

This court, after considering the submissions in Jules held, as mentioned earlier, that there was a presumption of due execution. At page 110 of the judgment of the court, I referred to section 99 of the Evidence Act and stated;

“It is my considered view, however, that in the peculiar circumstances of this case, section 18 subsections 1-5 and section 30 subsection 2 of the Land Instruments Registration Law of western region of Nigeria is a complete answer to the submissions of the appellant.” Adverting to the subsections of section 18, the court at page III said,

“Having regard to section 18, particularly subsection 3 supra, it must be presumed that the copy of the deed 36/36/134 pasted in the registry of deeds (which we saw) and from which a Certified True Copy (exhibit A) was made was duly compared with the original of the deed before registration and was found to be a true copy in the sense that the names of the executants therein are the same as those who actually executed (in terms of signature or thumb impressions) the original taken away in accordance with subsection 5.”

Then after adverting to section 30(i) and (ii) i.e. section 31 of Oyo State Law I stated at page 113 of the judgment-

“Exhibit A was issued pursuant to subsection (1) above (i.e. section 30(1). The whole section must be read together with section 18 and it is my view that once subsection 1 of section 30 and subsections 3 and 4 of section 18 are complied with, the deed will be admitted in evidence without any further proof or other proof of such matters as execution of the parties named therein. Section 26 of the law (section 27 of the Oyo State Law) to which learned counsel for the appellant made reference is irrelevant in the present proceedings. Though, it provides that registration shall not cure any defect in any instrument or confer upon it any effect or validity which it would not otherwise have had, it (i.e. section 26) is made subject to the provisions of this law and cannot operate to make exhibit “A” a worthwhile (sic) (worthless) document unless there is evidence that section 18 of the law was not complied with by the registrar of deeds. There is no such evidence.”

In the instant case, there is no evidence that section 18 and section 31(1) was not complied with. Exhibit A was a Certified True Copy of a deed duly registered in the lands registry. In my view, it covers the situation here completely. In that event, I am also of the view that sections 99, 122 and 129 of the Evidence Act are irrelevant. The result is that Exhibit A must be taken to have been executed by the executants named therein, 2nd and 3rd defendants. Having thus conveyed the land in dispute to Victor Oludemi on 16th June, 1958 as per exhibit “A”, there was no further estate that could be transferred to the 1st respondent in Exhibits “E” and “F”. I do agree with my learned brother that for the reasons he stated in the lead judgment, the remedies of damages for trespass and injunction should also have been given to the plaintiff. Not only was plaintiff in possession, but he attempted to close up the foundation dug by the 1st respondent when he first started building. The 1st respondent must of course, take full responsibility for his decision to continue his building to completion in spite of the early notice of dispute over the land.

I wish only to say that the decision I have reached appears to me to accord with the justice of this cause. The 2nd and 3rd defendants by hiding behind their denial of sale of land to Victor Oludemi and such fine legal defences as the inapplicability of sections 99 and 122 (out by under 1 month) of the Evidence Act were about to get away with fraud selling land to Victor Oludemi and selling the same land to 1st respondent. It is certainly significant that the 2nd respondent admitted under cross-examination that he received 200 (N400) from appellant when he sold land to him 20 years ago. When one looks at exhibits “A” and “B”, it is seen that the consideration for these conveyances were 80 and 120 respectively. It is also significant that exhibit “B” which 2nd and 3rd respondents admitted executing in favour of appellant was executed on the same 16/6/58 as exhibit A which they denied executing.

In all these circumstances, I also allow the appeal and set aside the judgments of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. I enter judgment for the plaintiff/appellant and endorse all the orders made in the lead judgment.

UWAIS, J.S.C.:- I have had the opportunity of reading in draft the judgment read by my learned brother Karibi-Whyte, J.S.C. For the reasons given in the judgment, with which I entirely agree, I too will allow the appeal and set aside the decisions of the High Court and the Court of Appeal. I adopt all the orders contained in the said judgment.

KAWU, J.S.C.:-I have had a preview of the judgment which has just been given by my learned brother Karibi-Whyte, J.S.C. I agree entirely with the reasons and conclusion therein. I too will allow the appeal and subscribe to all the consequential orders made in the lead judgment including the order as to costs.

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Other Citation: (1990) LCN/2440(SC)