By Godwin Oghre
Sapele—A Delta State High Court sitting in Sapele,  has dismissed an eight-year- old suit over landed property  against 10 members of Ogodo family of  Sapele, by one Mr. Andrew Eghrujakpo, also of Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta state.

Trail judge, Justice E. Emudainowho, in her ruling said: “The court, after hearing the submissions of counsel for the claimants and defendants, do hold that the claimant’s claim be dismissed and it is hereby dismissed with N5,000.00 cost  awarded in favour of the defendants against the claimant.”

Eghrujakpo had, on February 5, 2003, instituted the suit against the Ogodo family and listed as defendants, Mr. Cyril Ogodo, Okefe Ogodo, Bright Ogodo,George Ogodo, Ejiro Ogodo, Oroloro Ogodo, Ufuoma Ogodo, Keroye Ogodo, Onome Ogodo and Mrs. Lizzy Ogodo.

The claimant had asked the court to declare him the rightful holder of the title of customary right of occupancy to a piece of land measuring 6722.064 square metres,  lying on Sapele-Warri Road, by Ajogodo, in Sapele, Local Government Area.

He had also prayed the court to restrain members of Ogodo family from exercising ownership right over the said landed property and had demanded as special and general damages, N1.5 million, for trespass when the defendants entered the land and purportedly destroyed his crops, blocks and other belongings.

Reacting to the judgment, Mr. Bright Ogodo, who spoke on behalf of the family,  said the court judgment had confirmed that the judiciary was indeed the last hope of the common man, adding that the judge had demonstrated competence and transparency.