LAND LAW — Boundary Disputes — Status Quo at State Creation Determines Boundary of Disputed Communities
Principle Statement
It is in the interest of both parties that the status quo as at the time the two states were created be maintained. That position is that the disputed communities are in the Local Government Area of the present Cross River State.
Ratio Decidendi (Source)
Per Edozie, JSC, in A.G., Cross River State v. A.G., Federation & Anor (2005) NLC-123-124-1999(SC) at p. 20; Paras B–C.
"It is in the interest of both parties that the status quo as at 1987 when the two states were created be maintained. That position is that the disputed communities together with Odot Forest Reserve and Okpokong Bridge are in Odukpani Local Government Area of the present Cross River State."
Explanation / Scope
The status quo at the time of state creation determines the location of disputed communities. The principle applies to boundary disputes.
