The long legal tussle between Emigi and Egunpa communities in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State over land disputes has finally been put to rest as the state High Court in Lapai has given its verdict in favour of the Emigi community.
Justice Danladi Ahmed Baddeggi, in his judgement delivered on Wednesday, declared that the Emigi community, who had been the plaintiff in the matter, were the owners of the disputed land against the claims of the Egunpa community, whom he averred had no reason to claim ownership of the disputed land.
The Egunpa community sometimes approached the Lapai High Court in January 2021, claiming ownership of the land from the plaintiff on the ground that they inherited the disputed land from their forefathers and the Emigi Community has no business claiming ownership of the land.
Barrister Emmanuel Zachariah, the counsel to the plaintiff, then filed a declaration of title before the court, and Justice Danladi Ahmed Baddeggi, after perusing the declaration of title as filed before the court, delivered his judgement accordingly, stating that the disputed land belongs to the Emigi community.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the judgement, Barr. Emmanuel Zachariah commended the judge for his courage in arriving at his verdict, describing the judgement as well presented and one that will stand the test of time.
He described Justice Danladi Ahmed as an erudite jurist whose pedigree in the temple of justice will be reckoned with at all times.
Also speaking, the village head of Emigi, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, appealed to his subjects to continue to leave in peace, stating that the judgement has finally put to rest the over two decades of legal tussle that has almost crippled farming activities in his community.
He called on the people of Egunpa to allow peace and the harmonious relationship that has existed in both communities to continue to prevail, noting that no meaningful development will be recorded in a crisis-ridden environment.