Following the apex court ruling, the Cross River State Government has begun enforcement of the judgment.
By Dapo Akinrefon
The Supreme Court has finally resolved the protracted land dispute between Ikot Ansa (Nkonib) and Kasuk II communities in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area of Cross River State, affirming Ikot Ansa as the rightful owner of the contested land after nearly a decade of legal battle.
In a unanimous judgment in Appeal No. SC/CV/295/2021, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by HRH Ntoe Ededem Okon Ayito of Kasuk II, ruling that he failed to establish ownership through credible traditional history, which formed the basis of his claim.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Musa Abba Aji, supported by Justices Mohammed Salawa, Stephen Adah, and Abubakar Sadik Umar, upheld the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision, which overturned the Cross River State High Court ruling that had initially granted ownership to Kasuk II.
The Supreme Court held that possession or long occupation of land cannot override the legal burden of proving title through established traditional evidence.
The judgment also nullified the February 21, 2019, decision of Justice Imelda B. Etape of the Cross River State High Court, which had awarded ownership of the disputed land to Kasuk II and imposed ₦100 million damages against the Ikot Ansa community for alleged trespass.
Following the apex court ruling, the Cross River State Government has begun enforcement of the judgment.
In a letter dated January 19, 2026, with reference No. SG/PS/G/VOL.1/2026, signed by Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Anthony Effion, Esq., the state government directed that Etab Ayip Village of Kasuk II has no legal right to the disputed land and must vacate the area.
According to the government, “The Supreme Court judgment has completely extinguished the right of Kasuk Qua Clan to any legal action and ownership concerning the parcel of land.”
The directive further stated that Kasuk II, through its traditional leadership, is obligated to immediately vacate the disputed land located along Parliamentary Road Extension Boulevard and both sides of the Goodluck Jonathan Bypass.
Reacting to the judgment in a statement on Sunday, counsel to the Ikot Ansa community, Mba Ukweni, described the ruling as a major victory for justice, equity, and judicial consistency.
“This decision reinforces the long-standing principle that acts of possession cannot override the requirement to prove the root of title based on traditional history,” Ukweni said.
Also reacting, community leader Ntufam Francis Okon Effiom praised the Cross River State Government and the office of the Solicitor General for ensuring proper enforcement of the judgment to maintain peace and order.
He stated that the Ikot Ansa community remains law-abiding and committed to lawful processes in reclaiming its ancestral land.
Effiom also urged the Kasuk II community to respect the Supreme Court’s final verdict and vacate the land peacefully.
“The apex court has spoken decisively. This judgment has clearly settled the dispute, and all parties should abide by it in the interest of peace,” he said.