The Supreme Court of Nigeria has brought final closure to a decades long legal battle over the revocation and compulsory acquisition of Trans Nkissi Layout in Onitsha, dismissing a suit that had lingered for 39 years.
The case was originally filed in 1987 by Chinyelugo Denis Chude and 11 others against the Anambra State Government, alongside the state Attorney General and the Commissioner for Lands. The plaintiffs challenged the legality of the government’s acquisition of the Trans Nkissi Layout, a decision that dates back to the old Anambra State administration.
However, the case suffered significant delays over the years. In 2008, it was struck out by the trial court due to lack of diligent prosecution, with no meaningful progress made or witnesses presented. An attempt by the plaintiffs to relist the matter in 2015 was rejected, as the court ruled that the prolonged inactivity undermined the credibility of the case.
During proceedings, legal representatives of the state, including officials from the Ministry of Justice, argued that reopening the matter would be unjust and against public interest. They emphasized that the disputed land had since been developed into a thriving residential area, now home to thousands of residents, making any reversal impractical and disruptive.
The plaintiffs subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal, but their case was dismissed for lacking merit. Undeterred, they escalated the matter to the Supreme Court.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Iyang Okoro, the apex court dismissed the appeal, affirming earlier decisions and bringing finality to the long running dispute.
The ruling reinforces the importance of diligent prosecution in legal matters and underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding ility where significant public interest is at stake.
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