Ebonyi State Public Lands Acquisition Law [CAP. 127]

3. (I ) Power or Commissioner to acquire lands. (2) Lands acquired 10 he Stale lands.

4. Preliminary investigation.

5. Notice or intention to take lands.

6. Power of persons under disability to sell and convey.

7. Power or head Ch iers to sell and convey.

8. Notice o f' intention to take and power lo take possession.

9. Service or notices.

10. Disputt.!s as to compensation and title to he sell led by 11 igh Court.

11 . Decision in absence of parties.

12. Report o f Government officers as to value to be evidence.

13. Unoccupied land and rights over such land.

14. Party not to be compelled to sell or convey part or a house.

15. Principles of assessment o f compensation.

16. Owners or intersected lands may insist on same being taken .

17. Compensa l ion f'or loss or rents and profits.

18. When the Commissioner may witl1draw from the acquisition of land.

19. Costs.

20. ( I) Postponement of payment of' compensation. (2) Payment by Government to operate as a complete discharge of compensation. (3 ) Claims with in three years. (4 ) Procedure. 2 1. Parties in possession as owners lo be deemed entitled to lands.

22. Con1missio111..:r exonerated upon payment . 23. /\pplication or consideration or compensation where lands belonging to a lm:al community.

24. Conveyances-their rorr'n .

25. C<.:rt i l'ical<.: or til le.

26. I ;i I ing·or cclllveyancc or cert ificatc or till<.:. Effect or f'il ing.

27. Prou:edings where possession of' lands w ithheld.

28. Penalt y f'or hindering the taking possession or lands. 2(), Form ol' SllllllTIOl1S.

30. Summonses Lo state amount Commissioner is w illing lo pay. r 1 3 1. Service or not ice 1101 an adm ission or interesl. lj , itir111 La w I CA P. 127 f l'u hfi c l.n nds 1\cq11is CI IA JYJ'E R L2 7 'I JS IT T01 LA W PUBL I C LAND S ACQU ic en r eq ui red fo r Publ 11 I. l'I \J l'>JX em po wer lh c /\c<1ui sil ion of La nds wh C",p l~) A La w to II \J I . N. I lJ o l 19., 1. Pu rposes. 11 ol 19~5. l/ ol l'J, S I: I! N I.' ol 1'15>; I. I '.: Ccp IIJ'.1.1%1. Sho rt 111ft: tio n L aw. as the Publ ic La nds Ac qu isi I. Th is 1.aw ma y be cite~ lr11.:rp1.:1a111111 In thi-; La w: : tate or imerest in lands "la nd s" include any es y i11 the S1aIe: ans a local co mm un it "lo ca l co mm un ity " me or Lands i11 the ion er " me an s lhe co mmissioner inehargc "c om mi ss Stale; reinafte r defined rp os e" inc lud es a publ ic purpose as he "p ub lic pu ue r wi1h respect 10 su ch pu rpo se relates lo any ma in so far as ria has power 10 Go ve rn me nt of Eh on yi St ate or Ni ge wh ich the make laws. and also: pu bli c use: clu siv e Go ve rn ment use or f"or general for ex ts or any (a ) Co nn ec tio n wi th sanitary improvemen (b ) fo r or in tions; kin d, inc lud ing reclama 11cw town- in Co nn ec 1io n wi th the lay ing out of any (c ) fo r or extension or nt station or the ship or Governme or Government pr ov em en t of an y exist ing to wn sh ip im station; ous to any pcm; ob tai nin g co ntrol ov er land contigu (d ) fo r of wh ich ,, ill be ob tai nin g co ntr ol ov er land the value for other (c) the co ns tru cti on or any ra ilw ay . road or enhanced by undertaken or bli c wo rk or co n venience :ibout to be pu rnment; provided by the Gove d required fo r or 111 fo r ob tai nin g cont ro l over lan (I") g purposes; and Connection wi th mi nin l'ub/ic f.t111d.,· Acq11i.~ili1111 f .aw I Ct\ I'. 1271 (g) for or in Conne ction wi th housing estate, eco1101 11ic, indust rial, or agricu ltural development and ror obtain ing contro l over land required for or in Co1111cction with such purposes; "recognil'.Cd head chicr" means a chic!' who is recognized by Govcr nmenl as holdin g for the time being the highcst rank in a comm unity under customary law.

3. (l) Where any lands in the Stale arc required for a pub! ic 1'0,vi.:.1 of c·01nm1~,ut11cr purpose of the State. the Commissione r may acquire such h> :ic qu1\'c l:11al, for a11 estate in fee simple or f'or a term or year!-> as he may think proper, paying such co11sidcra1ion or compensation as may be agreed upon or determined under the provis ions or this L aw. (2) Where any lands arc or have been acquired under the l.1nth a~11111n.·d provis ions of this Law such lands shall, to the cx1cn1 or the 10 be ~1:i1c l:11111' estate or interest acquired therein. be and be deemed to have been State lands ror the purposes of the State I .aw from the date of such acquisition and may be dealt with in accordance with the rrovisi ons of that Law nol withst anding that the purpose for wh ich such lands were acquired has l':iiled or that all or any or such lands arc 110 longer required for the purpose for which they were acquired or arc being used.

4. (I ) Whenever it appears 10 the Comm ission er that land in any l'rclin11n:11y localit y is likely to he needed for any public purpose, it rn, i.:~11~a11011 shall be lawf'ul for any person either genera ll y or srecia lly authori:t.cd by the Comm iss ioner in this behalf and for his servants and workm en to do all or any of the foll owing things: (a) 10 enter upon and survey and take levels of any land in such loc,llit y: (h) to dig or bore under the subsoil: (c) to do all · other acls necessar y 10 ascertain wheth er the land is adapted ror such purpose; and (d) to clear. set oul and mark the boundarie:-. or the land f ' proposed to he taken and the int ended line or tht: work (ir ;1ny) proprn,cd to bt: made 1herco11: I 1i.1-itio11 I J1w IC'A I'. 1271 l 11hlic l.mul.1" 1\ cq1 1 :!350 0 an y bu ild ing or idc d Llta t no pe rson sh all en ter i111 l'r ov dw ell ino - y c 11c los ed Co ur t or garden attached to a h up on an oc cu pie r thcrc1~f") the co n..,cnl or lhc hou..,c (c>.ccpt ,, ith lca<;l '>evrn cla y, ' ou t pre ,·in u< ;ly g iv ing such oc cu pie r at ,, ith 1 to do su . no tic e of'lli:s i11t c11Lio1 made un de r m, co n\' cn ien tly ma y he ar icr an y en try (2 ) ,\ s :--0011 afo res aid sh all !-.011 -;o auLhOJ"i/ed as Mtb!-.ection ( l}, the pcr ute as 10 the y for all da ma ge do ne, and in case or d isp pa perso 11 c lai m ing her su ch person or the nm ou nt Lo he paid eit Co ur t ha vin ~ er Mtch dis pu te to the ~ co mpcn:-.a tio n ma y ref he f'i11al. lic tio n in the pla ce . wh os e de cis ion shall ju riM ./ lan ds arc requ ired iss ion er resol ves tha t an y I J\u11n.:- ,,1 lnt~ lllll> ll In

5. W hc nc , er fo r a pu bli c the pu Co rpo mm se . l1e sh all gi ve no tic e lo the perso ns intereste d . or lo the persons en tit led J 1.11.c lam h cla im ing to be im erestc d in such lan ds m a), sh all or ch of the [ I .aw to se ll or co nv ey the sa me or lo su hy thi s may be a-; inq uir y be kn ow n I<> him (whic h no tice aft er rea!-.ona hle ec t). du le or to the like eff in Fo rm A in the Sche i \' ' fL sh all be law ful for the persons be ing se iscd. possessed or or sel l to I ~I I Po\ \CI ul J>l:1 ,on , untkr

6. ( 1) en titl ed to an y lan ds or an y es tate or intere st therei n. rticu lar it ly Ii I di,.,h, l,1) 1t1 , ell nv ey the sa me lo the Co mm iss ion er . and pa and co perso ns lo -;ell ,UH i t:O\ l.!} or any or lhe fol low ing shall be law ful for all l unati cs and idi ots, II I co nv ey -al l gu ard ians. co ml lli llecs o r an d uto rs and I for ch ari tab le or oth er pu rposes. exec tru stees being en lill cd to pen,ons for the tim e ad mi nistrators, and all ds. and pro fits or any lan the receipt of lhc rents res aid 111ay law f'u ll y po we r so to se ll an d co nv ey as afo (2 ) The ly on behalf' of ch pet)>ons no l on he exercised by su heir:-. exceu lors. their re!-.pcctive thcmM.:h cs and on be ha lf of tra tor s an d su cc c-; sors. hu t also ro r and ad mi nis aintlL:r aft er the111 in n! ,cn ,io n or re111 ever y person en tit led lo such guardians dc fea sa nc e of the ir ~:-.tates . and a<; or in beha l f' of lf of the ir ,,a nl' >. a, to such com111it1ce-; 011 on be ha the co111111iltcei-. s ot wh om the ) arc the lunatic), and idi ot mm i'it ra tm , 1111 a:-. to :-11 <.:h tru :-.tcc: --. C\, .X llto r, and ad and ely lo the '-ll llC i quc: trw,h n: ,p cc ti, behalf or the ir , u111 i quc trust. as su ch wa rds . l11 na 1ics, idi ots and n•s111 ex ten t un de r thi., l..m if d the :same po\ \,C I.'> ro uld ha vc exercise ltl) . h•.:cn un de r no d1\a ht they had respccl1\'l: ly - .\ I \ l'u/,1/c I ,u u l< . \ ,·q ul ,U/uu 1. n w \ C ,\ \'. I 21 I W h e re la n d s re q u ir e d [o r 7. local c<>1nm1u public purpo \'U \\C I , ,\ lh ~,,, \ 1i ly. th e rc c ses a rc the ,;h id , lll , ..,, ,n a y sell am o g n i, c d head p ro p c n y o l l c o n v e y th chic\' o f su c ;, ~uni "t 1n, (') , e sa m e for h cornmu ni1 110\w1\\lsta11<l a n e st a te in y 111g any cns fe e ,i m p \c . wrnary \aw \0 the con T h e Cornmi< trary. 'io.'1cr n ,a y 8. su b se q u e n t n b y such 1101\ce af ~\ llt \.~ o ti c e . d ir e c t <>1·csaid o r h \II p o ss e ss io n o th e p e rs o n s ) au y 1\\h' l\l hH \ hl f sn ch \a>1ds a fo re sa id to yie \;.1h '-' .11 u\ l'"''" ' ,pcc,1'c<I in a \\ c r th e e sp ir a ti ld op th e nn1ice. , o n o f th e 1.cr s is w e e k s fr h ic ><lli n,n th e se rv ic h period shall not b e le e o r ,ucl• noti ss 1\»1n urgent I) rcq c e . unless th /\ t th e c ,p inullirc<l \'or the puh\ic p e la m \ is io n o f sn ch p urpose. persons a u th er (2 ) o ri z e d b y h im iod. th e C m n rn is si o n c r a shall b e en1i1\ n d all 1akc possc~-; cd to cnte•· i> ion o r such lan 1lO aod ds accordin g ly. E v er y n o ti c e u n d e r se c ti o

9. (I ) personally o n s 5 a n d g_ sh ~\ .'f \ I\. C i 1 n th e person a ll e it h e r h e usnal p la c e o s to h e se rv ed ,c rv c d \\\ \\ h. \°' f abode or bu o r 1cr1 at th e rca._onablc si>1 CSS, if a n y ir \.Lsl inquiry he ro su c h p la c e c shall be ah und, and in a n al'le, scnl fr o m case a n y ~ usual place ig,c ria or ii' such nic~ uch pa o r abode o partic~ or th r business e ir \as\ c ;u "" ''. h e fo af1cr reason und. su_ch >1o able inqu1rv '.'1.._s t,ch lands. o tice shall h e lcl'l with th r 11 th e re h e e o c rn p i: r • . ,xcc.1 upon n o such o c c some con~p u p ie r. sh a ll II11 1a~1y such icuorn, parl ol' such \;inc.l~ he (2 ) person be a . no1 ,c c ,h a ll co rp ora\ ion. com panv or l'irrn c o rp o rn u o n. h e lcl't al th e pcinci ,t 1 c h o ff ic e c an ah cm n pm>y o r firm p al o fl",ce o r .. n p o n " "n . c•· re a so n a b le " " in •" • .. • • re . . •• . .. I u ir h . ,,c, "'· o r • u c h c orpor:111011 ll icct tll a n v ) o y e Io u n d . sh a11,I n n su c h l; \I I . c o m \J 'l ll \ r -1u c il l (' l' 1,e ,_ , ' c d . o , ,.. - • • . . . ,r n1 : ;:::, • ' .11 1 \, o (3 ) p n h h11sh cd " '"rv"cd·nunder th , in l! !C n a. 011ce~ -;c ! ,ud 1 s>~<ms o • n•s I" '· ,.II ' I. . _c pr >•• • c,\Sl u> thov e /.'/m11 ,·il .\tiI" I a" , hal ' r , •I ,\ ,..,.l ,.;he " I( ) 1'!•('111. .._ 11 '-"111!h. 't au tl l" d' 1', •1 11 !,: w lll , 11• p •, l! \l \ I/ II •h \ l\11 11 , 'I 1 • l !: -- -= 2.152 1 l .m,, / Ct \l'. 127 / I I 1 l'u hlic '-'ll 1d.1· l kqu isit io1 .sell a,,c/ J)C rso n, or wh ich he is hy Ihis Ln w cn ah/cd 10 bclnnging lo suc h evidence i n suppor1 h pe rso n ha s '"" given sn1isfac10 ,y cnn vcy , 11,· if suc rdc in •~s pcc1 of or· if scp ;1r; uc nn d C<m /JicJing cla ims n,~ m, of his c/n im / cvc,y ., uch ,un ou m of co mr cnsatioo due. if any, ar,c lhc s.unc land. , . l hc 1/igh Cnun. cd in1 c,·c s1 or lit/ c shall he scl l/cd hy the case or disprn ter mi ne in nil cases sh all hn vc j ur i.sd icl ion to hc nr and de wh ich Cn un 001 hy the in thi s sec tio n up on a su mmnns lakcn mc nti oocd ing any cstnic or interest cr, or an y pe rson ho ldi ng or cla im Co mm iss ioo •10 1ice alor csaid, o,· en abled or claiming Io he ds na me d in ;m y e. in aIIy Ian sel l and co nvey lhc sam enabled by this L aw to lkc l\i,111111 1il>sc 11.:c o/' ,, . 11 up nn wh om a summons has hc cn ser ved sh all no t fl,ll IOC\ W/rcr c an y rcr. ,11 c.r pa ne upon the l im e ap po int ed , a decision may he gi ven nppcar at as effectual nc e ad du ce d; an d suc h decision shall he hc,r·ing lhc evide in lhc rrescnec or such pe rson. lfrp w1 ul r as i g i veil afler heari ng Cio,c,11 n1cn1 12. ( I) lhc Mi nis i,·ics oil 1c,:1 a, lo The wri11cn report of irny o fficer a11ac hcd 10 ric u/t urc, or value o lo he , 1.ands, Survey, J\g respo n.';i b!e for Works y bu ild ings or C<1<knu: try as 111 1he va lue of the lands or or an Fores shall be evidenc e the reo f. tre es or crops rhereon (2) e in Wr-iti ng 10 giv ing three days· notic Such orn ccr ma y, on any build ing., an y suc h lands o,· into the occopicr. enter upon of suc h land or asc.:cn ain ing the value thereon for the pu rposeancl cro rs thereon. and tJ1c bu ild ings, trees call sue/, (3) rty ha vin g an int ere st i n such lan d, may Any pa y oth er cvrclencc. ) ! d may also adduce an ' I off ice r as a. wi tness, an ' 1 ·1s lo val ue py hcrcol I ;, (4 ) may be proved by a co -'n,c rep ort of suc h off ice r b re, uircd r his ha nd . . c I . .• (5) un de e ol suc h co py slr nll ~0 1 of of' rhc sig na tur Pro ss ther eof. lhc Co urr see s rea son Lo doubr Ilic gcnurncnc unless d L'm,-:~11p1c1I s a ' • in respect of unoc cu pie

13. ( I) No co mpe11sa1101 • 1 h II be ·1w ardcd 1.ind ,111d nght~ 01 l'I \lll'. h l:111d , (2) land. Wh ere an y dia Y ea rs i111 1nc lll tni l y h·i• ·s' du ring the er son or ·111y <.:omr c pu bli c:l lio n of no trc c o p • 1c ly pre ' 1· . rl cc ( ing_ ,d .<1riy rig hts· · five I or fishing, . r I I • • • •c ex erc ise ltiv ared produce • • II ·t'o n or un cu i111cnL1011 lo <1c qu11 . e sh ·1ll no t have I the/ , no t!f"a ;,.in g o r lhc co cc r 1 s . hu nti • d I· nd suc h ex crc < l o 1e .::,• ..... , • . d I· id to be dc c1rn:d ov er unoc cup1c suach unoccu p,c '" ~f fcct o f caus ing 2353 -1 \ l'uh lic l..a11d.v A cqu isiti on l..a w ICA P. 127 I munity shall be entitled to occupied but such person or com ts extinguished by the compensation in respect of the righ ent as to the amount of acq uisition, and in default of agreem award such com pensati on such compensation the Court may suc h rights so extinguis hed as it deems reasonnblc and where shall be paid into the were communal, the compensation unc il concerned. revenue of the Local Government Co d shall be deemed to be (3) For the purposes of this Law, lan proved that the beneficial unoccupied land where it is not itation, the collection or use thereo f for cultivation , hab rial purpose has been had storage of water or for any indust t twelve months in the for a continu ous period of at leas ly prio r to the publication period of seven years immediate of notice of intention to acquire: proves that he has been Provided that where any person pied, for a period of six settled on land otherwise unoccu intention of permanent! y •~~-n~h s prior to such date with the by suc h person shall be 1es1dm g thereon, the area occupied deemed to be occupied land. .

14. No person sha ll at ,any t"rmc be required to sell or convey lo the f'any 1101 to be Comm· .. · • r a par t only of any h . h . . compelled 10 rssrone ·I' Jou se or ot er bu ilding if such ~ell or convcv iJCrson be \\'ill i11 ,· J11d .ibl l"' , .in <-u11 vt:y u Ii~ ll1t: wh ole thcreo1 pan 0 1 a house. b 15. ln estimating the compensation to b · e for any lands o . or•for an e giv r any estate or in1ere•st th erem fits the reo f lh c Principles of . . Y mesnc pro • e ourt assessment of shall act on the foll owing · pnncrples· cornpcn~alIon (a) ll b •• no allo wance sh·l• < e mad e on ace ount of the :1cquis i1ion b • (b) crn g com pulsory; the valu e of lhe land , cst<.1tc inte . h . ,,., eremaflcr ,.., . , res t or prof' . , tak en to be the!l: sh,1 1J, subj ect such lands es~:ov1?ed, be unt which market b ,' •. 111g . c, llllcrest or, profits J.f sold mo in the (c) y a W!/l seller . ect ed . ope n f mig ht be exp where part <>nl ds, cs raic . 1 o rea lise ; belonging to . y o son the lan any per • , mtcrcst Or prof11. . • • is acq uire d und e Ih1s l ,aw Ilic C ma y I k . rtI1e prov·is1o • f h , oun a c rmo acc oun t an ns of o t e value of the < . of lh y enha~c ent cm any improvements residue by reason made or const111ctcdo~y :r~made or con st~ :i;~ x1m ity of c ovcrnment; and or lo be -- - 2354 l.aw / CI\ J'. 127 / l'{(h /ic Lnnrt.1· ltc quisitio11 (d) no1 on ly lo the v11/uc of the !he Cour, may ha ve regard 10 fits lo be acq uired hut also lands, estate, interest or pro by ,·ca son tained hy !he ow ne r the damage if any, 10 be sus g ds from Othe r lands belongin of the severance or such lan ne r or olh er injurious circumstances af/Cctiug 10 hsuc h owlands by suc h acq uis ition: suc other , estimating such compensation Provided thar lhc Cour, in to ha ve ing 10 w/1a1 it finds shall assess IJ,e sam e accord ate, interest or profits or the been !he va/uc of sue/, lands, est and lion to acquire was ser ved lime wheo notice of i111en vcmcnrs or works ma de or wirJ1ow regard lo an y impro h constr ucted !hereafter on suc con su·uctcd or to be made or an t where an y of !he Nigeri lands; And provided further !ha or non-Ministerial dcpartmenr Military Forces or any Mioi.11,y .sc.ssion of .such land by virtue or Govcrnmenr has been in pos he simple compcnsarion shall of a lillc, less lhan a Ice atcd withou t reg ard lo aoy inc rea se in value on accounr I csr im h I, cr improvemenrs on or lo suc or works constructed or orh the I an M ilitary !'o rccs or .by JI I lands by ,my of the Nigeril dcpanrncm of C,ovcrnmcn1 Minis1ry or non-Ministeria I I I II I• 01\'Jlcn. ol 16. / II ar c . i_n ; in1cn.c,tl·d bIic purposes not being s i_<u ' I lands 111ay If ·m y· /an dS required for pu lance a pie vethe o imiston so • ,.ded bY t.he lan div d tak lh,as lo lea 'f en • of d so ~,1n1c hcing town sha < ll be h h· If an acre and J e owne, h the s area l Oan a ioner lo l<Ul.e ' .,~ the ·same together wit h II taken. land of les• h C' mm iss • !he Co mm iss ion er s ' • •• : left requ,rcs I c er /ond lan d req uir ed l_or pu bli c pm bo s~ :ne r the reo f has oth Olh cr rhrown, "' as to he take the sam e according ' be .'. c11e c·m lesss<11 ly,ichunLhe wh • g thereto into h • nm acJ•JcH ·ih ied l erew1 . conveniently occup Compensation h • • p urs uance,ds o[ a • noCo urt un tice der ma y ' 17. iss ion er has m • I· the /or lo\\ ol Co mm any aid '. nd to all purtics . c ,c111, anti When t 8ccnlcrcd m • lo possession of 1· •uch Ian s fa ·ents ·md mcsn prol 11, • • 0 the owner o s . · for los .s o · •. . n• •scctro com ensat, on < • ·,11terest the1em C nmiss 1 roner so p csw tc OJ · the OJ .. ' warcl ·1 •• •• d bet we en the tun e I· ·cmsideration duer entitled Lo• any l 1e c 1 · wh en • 1· the J)CJJO • nd the tun e . •,1cd thereto. o ;~c c;, ':v isi on s of this /II pro fll. OJ •• cd int o possc'. '1'.:~•b~c n pai d to the p~ ·so r cn 1cr cnbeen• pat . 'd int o Court un e agr an·su1 un dep•rc11 ccm .ion has com Law. l'uhlic l.nnd.v /\cquisilion V1111 ICAP. 1271 2355

18. (J) Nothing in 1nis Law shall be taken to comI?~I the When 1hc Comm issioner Commissioner to complete the acquisition of any land may wi1hdraw unless he shall have entered into possession of the land or fru m 1hc 1 has failed within one momh of the judgment of the Court to acquisition of' land. intimate to the Court that he docs not intend to proceed with the acquisition: Provided , however, that the owner or the land and all persons entitled to any estate or interest in the land shall be entitled to receive from the Government all such costs as may have been incurred by them by reason or in consequence of the proceedings for acquisition, and compensation for the damage (if any) which they may have sustained by reason or in consequence of the notice of intended acquisition. (2) The amount of such costs and compensation , if not agreed upon, shall be determined by the High Court.

19. In any proceedings under this Law, to which the Government is a Costs. party, the parties thereto shall be ent itled to .receive costs against each other in the same manner as if such proceedings were conducted and had between subject and subject , and every sum directed to be paid by the Government as costs shall upon production of an office copy of the order of the Court be paid by the /\eeountant-Generul: Provided that where the amount awarded by the Court as the cons ideration or compensation due to the owner of any estate or interest in any lands, taken for pub Iic purposes, docs not exceed the sum offered by the Commissioner to such person as consideration or compensation for such estate or interest, such person shall pay the costs of all proceedings under section 10 rendered necessary by Lhc action of such persbn.

20. ( 1) The decision of lhc High Court, or the Court of J\.ppcal, Postponement where appeal has been taken, respecting any compensation of payment of compensation. or any question of disputed interest or title, shall be final and conclusive as respects' all parties upon whom summonses have been served as aforesaid, or- who have appeared and claimed or on whose behalf any person, having authority to that effect, has claimed any lands or any interest therein, but it shall be lawful for persons upon whom summonses have not been served, or who have not appeared or claimed, or on whose behalf no claim has been I.Aw (C AP . 127J Pu blic IA11ds Ac qu isit ion 2356 I I any time wi1hin on e year al kr the I, made, 10 make a claim al any of the final de cis ion ; and in all cases where da le be in arded, whether the same compensation bas been aw am ount ney or an annual rent, the the form of a sum of mo n the f as shall be payable withi the reo f or such part thereo urt (ex cept shall be paid into Co said period of one year liv d) ere ere a va lid wr iu en titl e lo the land shall be de wh riod of of Co url until the said pe and shall not be paid out su ch final ed from the date of one year shall have elaps by an y ion , afl er wh ich up on application to the Co urt decis n it may aid to be interested therei person claiming as afores Court may direct. be paid to whomsoever the the as aforesaid, and where The payment into Court er the sai d l'aymcnt IJy (2) of rent 1he payment, af1 Government 10 compensation is in the form elapsed, by the Commiss ioner j ve upcrati.: as a period of one' year shall ha peared du e to the parties who have ap of such rent as it accrues II com pktc d,~chJrgc or be st right the reto urt Lo ha ve the I tnmpcn,a11on. by the judgmcnl of the Co cc of the e discharge and acquillan \ shall operate as a co mplet t sha ll ission er of all cla im s in respect of such lands bu Comm person ent proceedings by any not hinder any subsequ pe rso n to right thereto against the claiming to ha ve a better en made. whom such payment has be sation be interested in any compen (3) /\n y person claiming to rl the reof mpensation or so me pn paid into Court (such co years Cla im, with in vin g be en pa id ou t of court) may within three not ha im that decision and not after cla from the date or the final 1111cc yea rs. . ch co mp en sat ion or an y part thereof be paid to him su urt , made /\I I claims for compen sation to be paid out of co J>mcc<l un: (4 ) the final all have elapsed after after twelv e momh s sh motion cis ion of the co urt , sh all be made by notice of de ed by ioner in the manner pro vid served upon the Co mmiss tin g the time being in force reg ula tJ1c rules of Court for the ling the pported by an affidavit sta servic e of motions, and su im is based. gro unds on wh ich the cla st mm iss ion er sh all ha ve the rig ht to appear again (5 ) The Co ) the motion. I P.1111.:~ in ds to be ac qu ired cting the title to the lan posscs~irn1 as Jf any question arises respe owners o" ncrs 10 be 21. s La w, the pa rti es in possession as being the <kc nu.:d ~mi1lcd under thi I 10 lands I I\ l'ubl ic /.(Inds l\cq11i.~itio11 Law [CA I'. 127] - . l .) I lhercof, or in receipt of the rents of such lands as being entitled thereto al the time of such lands being purc hased or taken, shal l be deemed to have been law full y entitled to such land. , unless the contrary be shown to the satisfaction of the court; and they and all parties clai ming under them or cons isten tl y with thei r possession sha ll be dee med enti tled 10 the con sideration or com pensation money, but with0ti1 prejudice to any subsequent. proceed ings against such parlics at the instance of any person clai min g to ha ve a better righ t thereto. The payment to any person to who m any consideration or com pensation shal l be paid or the .pay C'Ullll lll~\IO ll~r ment in 10 Cou rt of any C\OIIC lalc<.I com pensation upon a dec ision of upon p.iymcnt the Court, sha ll effectua lly discharge the Com mi ssioner from se.cing to the applicat ion or being answerable for the misapplication thereof: Provided that whe re any person is in possession in virtue of an y estate less than an estate of inheritance, or where any person is in possession in any fidu ciary or repr esentative character, the Com miss ioner may pay such conside ration or com pen satio n 10 such persons and in such proportions and instalments and after such noti ces as the CoDrt may direct.

23. Where any corn,ideration or compens ation shall be paid 10 a recognized head chief in respect of' any lands which arc the property t\pph c:111011 ol or a loca l com munity, such consideration or com co11, 1tk1atirn1 pensatioi:i shall be or distributed by him among the members compcn~ation of such com munity, or applied or used for thei r benefit in such whc1c land, proportions and in such bclon gmi; 10 a manner as the Commiss ioner shal l approve. local comm unity

24. Conveya nces of lands acquired under this Law may be as in Form Co11vcy,111ccs B or C in the Schedule, or as near ther then J'onn ll eto as the circ umstances of amJC the case will admit. Schctlulc

25. The Com miss ioner . may at an y time after the exp iration of six weeks from the date of the serv ice and (\:n1l1 CJIC ol publ icati on of the noti ce 1,1Ic, men tioned in sect ion 5, appl y ex part e by summon s 10 the I l igh Court for a cert ificate of title to the who le or any pan of the lands described in such notice and upon such application the Court sha ll. -'-- -- -- -- -- -- ---- --- - -- -- -- - I • l'11blic l.t111d.\· Acq11isitio11 h1w I CA I'. 1271 2358 ion of the said 1101ice. grant a upon pro of of the service ancl pub lica1 Schedu le or to the like effect. hum I) Sd1c duk. cert ifica te of tille as in Form D in the in such noti ce or to that part to the whole of the land s describ ed app lic::ition is made, which thereof in respect of whi ch the or defcasiblc by reason of any cert ifica te shall not he questioned notice or wan t of noti ce. or of irre gula rity or erro r or defect in the ct in the proceed ings previous any other irregular ity, error or defe to the obta inin g of such certificate. Lie granted under 1his Law shall 1·111111, :or Every convcyuncc nml ccrt ificuLe o f Li M inistry of Lands, Survey and \.:011\ C) ,lll<.;C (H he filed in the appropriate onic e of the lClll ltC,ttc ul ance or certificate or title shall T own Planning, and every such convey Government of Ebonyi State of tlllc , con fer on the Governor in trust for thG ed or referred to therein aga inst Effec t ol Nigeria, the esta te or intere. t compris fillin jt. peting rights. titles, interests , all persons, free from all adverse or com ver, subject to the terms and trusts. cla ims and demands whatsoe conditions, if any, therein mentioned. any person duly authoril'.ccl by

27. If' any person hind ers or obstructs P1<k:c cd1nr , upon and taking possession of \\hen , the Commissioner from entering er may law ful l y enter in Jl0~5C SSIOII of any lands in which the Commission lat1us withheld. sioner may apply ex par te at pursuance of this Law , the Com mis possession and such Cow t may hum I: any time to any Cou rt for a writ of and pub lica tion or the notices S, hct.lulc thereupon upon pro of or the serv ice e a writ of possession (which mentioned in sections· 5 and 8, issu le), addressed to the she riff may be as in Form E in the Schedu sheriff or pol ice offi cer may under whi ch any offi cer of the ing possession. forth wit h eject any person so with hold er or obs truct any person duly

28. Eve ry person who shall wi l full y hind l'cn.1il> 101 from entering upon or taking, hint.lei ini; the auth orized by the Com missioner pursuance of the provisions of posses ·ion of or using any land in takm i; o l or obstruct such person when po,scssion of lamh this Law; or who sha ll mol est, hind er cer' i11 possess ion of such land s, or shall hinder or obstruct any offi executi ng a writ or possess ion 1 of the sheriff or police offi cer when before any Cou rt to a fine o shal l he liab le on sum mar y convict ion nt for three months. Six Thousand Naira o'r to imprisonme f-orm of G in the Schedule, or to a I ikc Sllllll llllll\, 29. Summonses shall be as in form F. or fonns I' and G effe ct. /'11hlic / ,11mfs /\cq uisition f.<1w ICA P. 1271 2359 30. liv ery su mm ons taken out by the Commissioner for deLerm ini ng the amou nl of the purpose of S111111110 11w, tu co mpensation or 1he consid paid, shall state the amou eration ro be ~talc alll(Hll ll nt of 1he consideraLion or C o 111m1 ~,10 11c1 wh ich the Co mmissioner co mpensation " "ithn~ to is w illi ng to pay for the lan the summons relates. and ds to wh ich when pan onl y of the lands any per son is required, suc be lon gin g to h sum mons sha ll also sla any. all owed in es1imatin te the sum . if g such amount, for cnh anc val ue of the res idue of suc emen l of the h lands. 3 I. Th e fact that a no tice has been ser ved upon any per sec tion 5 or 8 shall 110 son under sc,v,cc I 1 be Laken as an admis 01 Co mrnissioncr that 1he sion by the 11011.:c 1101 person on whom suc h not a11 served or any oth er person ice has been .u1rms~ 10 11 0 1 has any est ate or interest lllll" ll:, 1. any part or the lane.I in the land or specified in the notice, Commiss ioner fro m allegin or debar the g in any proceedings unde 01hcrwisc that such land is r thi s L aw or State land. SC I IEOtJ L E 1·1; 111.1 c l. ,\ 1 IJ:-, /\L(..! ISI TIO LA W (/:'l nm yi Sta te of Nii ;er ia) Scc 1w11 S No 1ice is hereby gi ven tha FORM A t 1he foll owing lands (descr showing /Jowuluries wh1·11e ihe lan ds. xivinK 111ea.rnre11 1•,·r pm nic ohl t•) arc require 1enIs {//1( / pur pw.cs ahsolu1ely (or f or d by 1hc Comm issi one r for t1 rem r of yc•ars. or for puh lie /111/J/it· /1111"/JO.\'CS) . so /011;; as rhe .w111e 11wy lie 11sed for /\II \ per ,nn d:1 i111i11'._' ,,, h:11 c ,Ill) 11,:lit "1 III1i.:Ic,1 weeks from 1hc dal e of 1hi~ 111 1hi.: said land is req not in.: 10 ~i.:11d IO 1he Co rnm uired wi1hin six .111d i111cn·,1 and ot 1hi.: evi is,ione r a s1a1cme111 ol hb dem:c 1hc1cnl. .ind ol any righ l rig.hi or in,ercst. dai m made by him in res rec l o f such The Comm issioner is wil ling 111 tIea1 101 1h1: acq re,pecl o f wh ich 110 s1.11cmc uisi lio n or IIH; said lands. 111 i, received ,nc l iable to Lands in he deal! wi1 h as unoccupie /\ncl nn1ice is also hereby d lands. giv en 1ha1 Ihe Co mm issi one of the said lands at 1he cxp r inte nds to i.:ntc1 in10 pos ira1ion o f . . . ... .... .... .... . session 1his 1101 ice. .. . .. .. .. . . .. .. . . weeks from 1hc date of /\ ny person who sha ll wil full y hin der or obs1ruct cm plo yecl by him from iak the Comm issi one r or any ing possessio n o f 1he said person of 1hc l.aw above 111cn1 land s i s liab le under 1he pro ioncd 1111 convic1ion 10 a vis ion \ imp riSO lllll C ll l for thre fine o f Six Tho u,a ml Nai e llllHllhs . rn or 10 The .. ... . ... . . ... ....day 01 . .... .. . •.. .. . .. .. . .. . .. .. .... ... • 20 ... .... ..... ........ . Commissi<1111•r l ,µ 2360 Public Lands 1\ cq11isitio 11 Law ICA P. 127 1 I SCHEDULE - continued PUBLIC L ANDS ACQUIS ITION LAW (Ebonyi State of Nigeria) I l Sec11011 2·1 . FORM B Co11l'eya11ce of Lmul i11 Fee Simple This Deed mark the ............. ......... ... ........ .. .day of. ............. ..............20••••• between .. .. . .. . ... ...... . .. ............ . hereinafter called the grantor of the one part and ..... .. ... ........... .. .. ....... ........the Governor of Ebonyi State of Nigeria(who together with his successors in office is hereinafter called the Governor) or the other pan Witncsselh that in consideration or the sum or.. .................................. ........................ (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) the grantor doth hereby convey to the Governor /\ II (descrihl' p r emises to be conveyed and refer 10 p /011 to be endorsed 011 or 01111e,rnd /0 deed). To r Jold the premises to the use of the Government of Ebonyi State or Nigeria for ever. In Witness whereof the said .... ... ... .. ... .... .... .... .... .. .. ... .. .. ... .. has hereunto set his hand and seal (or •·made his mark and set his seal " as the case m ay be) the day and year above wrillen and lhe said ... ........ ..... .. ..... .... ... .. ........ ...has hereunto set his hand and cau~cd lhe Sea\ or Ebonyi State of Nigeria to be affixed thc........................day ot'. ...... . •;· ·· ··· 20 .......... .. sig11a t11 re of (seal of Signed, scaled and } Gran /or) delivered by the above Gran tor) nameci (sig11nt11re of (seal of Govemor) Ebony i Sw te of Nigerin) PUBLI C L ANDS ACQUISITION L AW (Ebo11yi State of N,igeria) Section 2'1. FORMC Co11vcya11re of Lo11ds for a term of Yea r .1· T his D eed made the ........ .. ....... ..... .. .. ........day ~ of..... .. ... . .... .. ... .. . 20 .. ... ... ....... between . ....... .. .... .. . ... ......... ..... ...... . .. .. (hereinafter called he lessor) of the one part and Governor of Ebonyi State of Nigeria(who together with is successors in office is herei nafter called the Governor) of the other part Witnesscth thal in I I I J>ul,/i c u111cl 236 \ i. A cquisitio n I -'I W \C A I' . 12 7I c ooside<>lio n o f I he , n G o ,e m o r ,s n u ,I ,cnl n ,hc,cinof1c< r. .. .. . .. .. . .. .. mcnlioncd, .. •• •••••••••••• (de><·>ibe ,,.. 1h c \csso< do •• •••••10 b e ,1 ,« I\ T o lln ,.,;.« .< ,n I> < lh he<cby con" '" 'id h y I h< id 1he sc,id p, ,o ,. ,e y e d " " d >'fe 'Y 10 1hc {i fm , 1« m o cm is~< in 1<0SI > ,a pla" 10 be ,, n,crn1>< A ll f. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. for 1he G o ,c .d o " '" " " o . Y " " · he 1hc m m enl o f E\,n , "" ,nnool rcnl n f............... G o ,c m o r yie nyi Sial< o f" ·' " " w .......... .h y (s lding ,n d p Nigc<i, 1,ie ins1a\mcn oying m 1he d e a r o f all w 1S if ,n y \ h lcssm- 1hc In W iu ,c » wxc ~ an ti dedu cnc cforlh o n he<cnf 1he sa1:lion~. (s1,1e r\ ,yc\ " '' I»> ·· ,o "l id .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. e hi> m..rk ,n .. .. .. .. •• • •• •• mcoiioned d ,c 1 hi< sc ,r •••••••h " h c Nigcri" 1<>. ,n d 1hc s, id hOS he1e · n , ''" ,, ,, . « n n lo ,c l h is he ,r r, m l on1< m ay b ,\ 1h e d• h ,n d ,n d Ihe .. .. .. .. .. > ,c l hi> nd on Y ,n d 1hc y .. .. .. .. .. ..ho d c, u sc d 1hc ear ,\ ,n " •••••• •••• ••S•d .. .. .. .. .. .• •• col o f Ebony ,y o f •• •• ••••i " '" " o l 1 2 0 ........... . •••••• ••• •• Signed. ~ca\cc (SixlJ{1l1tre of (Scol o f delivered by \ and G o ve rn o r) lesso r) the above named S CI \P.D ll l ,E cn11 Form C -co11 ti1111ed ri111 1etl PUHLIC 1_,A N l~S AC (l:hon y1Sta QUISITION LAW Sccuun '.!5 te o f Nigeria) (Sea l o f Cou FO R.MD rt .) h ;, hc,chy c c ,1/C.cd 11remi.1(•~ together w witb e a rt ,,;,1h·n C h ·tll .;d p ~ . . "."u1d~1re Cm if i< a je r tu ,,1"1l'1ublic Lan " o f" /il/o 1ar~l to th e ,ovc1n m o f ' ,y 10 be emds Ng Ebonyi S,.t· In g ln , ·md lors /\cc e 11 ui•s· • i, .en·.,, ,·o r ev e, (o r r · •. c : . ap p urtenance~ th ' OHtllon Law. all (d e sc ri b e lwl. crcl< b la,·"""' ·e I or ,,1 1c n nt oNl.i•.""•et •• o i., •m 1l1e • .~ l 10 < l) ,i c d 1hc. .. . · · · · trw.,l. . fo •r lh . G i e . . . . . . .c. . o ng 'e rt ifi ca te ) .. .. . n ,crnmcnlll l"e .t • rc• 10 vc11 .:d in 1h o l F•I su Y'• S•tale ocf •• ••••••• •••• y ·•••••• ••••• · · · · · · · · ·· · m s . a.r the ea ·· · - ...da y o f. ·· ·· ·· .« ma)' .. ·· ·· · .. .. .. .. .. .. . , 1 0 ···••••••••••••• •···•• ••••• •••••• (S ig••• nature nf·j·; ~j 1 ~~)·· ··· ········ ··· •··•· ······ 2362 127 / isitio11 I .L1111 I CA P. l'11 b/ic l .a11ds l1cq11 Qu1s n1 0N LA w Sc uion 27 l'tm uc LA No s "-Cof Ni ge ria ) ( Eb on y; St mc FO RM E ssess ion F o rm of Wr it of Po To rhc Sheri ff. I~w. lhc ,-, sio ns of lhc Pu blic Lauds /\cqu;,;1 ioo (de.•cdhe lhc pn ,c '"" d., W hc ""·' "' "'n lio g 10 lo ca 1" upon aa d lake po "" -', ion of , 11 lho lr111t/s ). iou c, , i. Cn li1IOO Commis., "" "" o employed ,m d yo u 10 p"1 Ihc lanCo.mm i,,; on c, o, an y ds ese "e Thhim 1Q 1h1e,ebe in th,1 ha inco ,clf10 s.~css ion f l hc said pomm by ········ ············· ·················gis ••••••••••••••••tfge •••••••• ••••••••••••ig•••• nm ure of J11 or Ma tra ie) (S cd SC I IlW UL E- co ntinu QUIS ITIO N I.A W PU Hi .iC J.ANDS AC (Hho ny i Sta te of Ni ger ia) FO R: \1 F Fo rm of S11111111011s E OF NI GE RI A OF EH ON YJ ST AT 'fl lJ•: IUGJJ CO UR T n I .aw. blic I .and~ /\cquisirio In rhc ma11cr of rhc Pu ... ... ...og ...ad '"yapp . au.un_u". . loc ••• ••• .. .on oo the...hc oo. ... hc.. Ioo ofda of. .. ... .. .... •• ·: •• ••••••••• • ••• •• or lhe lnlluwm, l.ci ""• pano• c, ,uc nd " ... .. •• •• •••• ••• •• ... •• ...•. . f," ,he de1c,mioa1i,m " ...o·d •••... •••... od lhc m ... ... ... ... .... ... ... ... •••n••of 20•••pa lhc ... ... and quc slio nsc ....... .. .a at......................... en t"rl , cd to the. lan ... .. • · · · · · · · · · · · ·· 20 . on hc •••rcd fua dsy sir da O ,..r~o ns ion payable lhcrcl o,. • • e o ) the = (Stale qne.m oo , . ·o•c dated lhe•••• ••• ••••••••••••• ( comf'<nsa( d .bed in a nolic "id io10 Co unun dc , ,n o,d~.l is ;>U ach cd hcrcl o. an d lhc omonn1 " ... . · ··· ··P . ... ... ..211... ... ... ... . ·: · .i m ~h crc of m of ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. ··· ··· ,o d dc .scd hc d m 'I c PY • • lhc su ••• •••• •••da y of..• . ··· ··· ··· · · · · ·· ... ... .. 20 ... .. • ••.. • · · · · · · · ·· · f'< "o os cntnlcd "' •• •:d•;-;,:;;;;•;;; d, ,;1 uaic ,u ••• · · · · · · ·•·· ·... ··· ··· ··· ·· .. .. d,ucd 1hc. •• •••• •••• •••par < ... ... ... .. . .. .day of .. h<; co mpcnsalion IO be o•r the qu estions to,-, , 1101 ice dared lhc • y whc,cu ., f· :,~. ;~;;~h~d·h~·;~;~: pe1r1sa e1111ou as the case ma y be , l'J) 1io1 ' the 1 Co 10 be1111 . . 111s µa u 1 sw1 · i or ,: . 1e an 0 y ,. d on e , /al l(I .1· de scr ibed ;,, the no , I \Vh .i enp 1he s1111111w 11s •,s if <:O rakco · J,· ~ha ll be ad ded : the a11 101111~ o Pc ided is I , J<rrI f/01 V11 1g IVO I( · ' 'rej err erl to. I It l 111hlic l .a11d.1· Acquisition I Aw IC AP. 1271 L..)l).) The Commi).sioner is willing to pay as compensation the sum of. ........................... ....... . Ami where .rnr·I, lands are part only of the la11tl.1· helo11gi11g to tlw per.l'nn entitled or rlai111i11g tu be elllitled to .rnc:h la11tl.1'. a11d the residue of such lands. in the opi11io11 of the Co111111issio11e r . will IJ/' or has l1re11 1•11hn11c ed in value hy the proxim ity of tlte i1111now111e11ts or work.1· made or ro11str urtetl or to be made or co11sImr1<•tl by tire Cim•er1111w11t. tlte Jollowi1 1,: word.,· slta/1 also be added: The said sum of. ........ ........ ........ ...... is made up as follows : Gross value of the lands <lcscrihcd in the notice aforesaid .. . N l)cduc1ion for enhancement 111' value of residue or such lands ~ Compensation which the Commis~ioner i~ willing to pay ... . . .N N.B.-l f the person cnlilcd or claimin g to he entitled to the lands is willing to accept the compensation above mentioned, he shal l notify his assent to the Commissioner on ur before lhe day of. ........ ........ ........ .. , 20............. If such person is unwill ing to accept such compc11s:11ion he shall on or before lhc said day inform 1he Comm issioner of lhc :11noun1 which he is willing 10 accept. anti whelher. in estima ting sm.:h amount. he has allowed any sum for cnhanc.:emenl of any residue or lhc lands, and, if so. 1he amount of the sum allowed. If any person fail to comp ly with these instrn ctions , the Court may order him to pay the costs or the proce eding s. l)ated tl1c ... . ....... .. ..... day of..... .. ..... . ....... ....... ..... , 20 ........... . (SiK11a111re of J11dgc) This summons wa:. taken out by..... .......... .......... ...... .'........... ........... ........... ......................... To.............................................................................. ....... ........... ................................. .... ..... . (/11.\'/' rt 11r11111•s 11/ 111/ 11c,rIies i11teres tl'tl i11 q11<·.,·tio11s to he d el'iif,,rJ) -. 1'11blic Lands t\cq11i.I ilion /,aw ICJ\ I'. 1271 2364 PUBLIC LANDS ACQUISITION LAW (Hlumyi State of Nigeria) FORMG Form of ex par/e S 111111110 11.1· IN TI IE I JIGI I COURT OF EBONYl ST /\TE 0 11 NlGERI/\ In the matter of' the Public Lands /\cquistion Law. I .et all· parties rnm:erned aucnd at. ....... ....... ..............on the ....... .. .... .. ..... .......clay of. .. ... ... ..... ....... ...... ....... ... 20 ..... .......... , at .... ... .......... .. ........... o'clock in the .... ............. ....... mHm on the hearing of an application on the part of the Commissioner charged with' responsibility for Lands for (state the objct:t of the applit:ation, e.g .. Grant by Court of Certificate of T itle to the lands described in i.l notice dated the ......... ......... .. ... .... day of .. .. ..... .............. ...... , 20 ...... ... ...... a copy whereDI' is attached hereto, or a writ of possession to the Commissioner or any person employed by him of the lands described in a notice dated the..................... clay nr.. ......... .. .... ... .. .20 .. .. .. , a copy whereof is allached hereto. as !he caxe may /Je). Dated the ............... day of. ...... . ..... .. ..... ...... ... .. , 20 . ... .... .. .. ......... .. ·············· ······· ·••••••••• ••••••• ••• ••• •••••• •• (Sig11a111re of Judge or Magism11e)