Possession as Means of Proof of Ownership

Abstract

This project work critically examines possession as a means of proof of ownership to land. The question of possession, ownership, title to land and prescription shall be answered.

The approach is mainly analytical. The writer will employ the use of primary data like reports and statutory books. Secondary data like legal dictionaries and opinion of learned authors will also be employed.

This work will assist greatly legal minded persons to understand possession and ownership better.

  • Chapter one, lays the foundation by defining what land is, what possession is and critically examines the distinction between Possession and Occupation.
  • Chapter Two includes, possession and claim of title to land and the prescription under customary law.
  • Chapter Three includes, possession and trespass, proof of possession and Recovery of land.
  • Chapter Four includes, the conclusion and observation which will be made under possession under the Nigeria Law.
Chapter Five

5.1 Conclusion

The only interest in land created by the land Use Act is a right of occupancy-statutory or customary. Section 5(1) and 6 (1) of the Act empower the Governor and Local Government to grant statutory and customary rights of occupancy respectively. The land Use Act has not affected so much the customary ownership of land; save the requirement of consent for alienation which is obligatory in every land transaction. This study submits that the discriminatory way in which the Land Use Act is administered has effectively denied every citizen, equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law and ensures that citizens do not have the opportunity for seeming adequate means of livelihood.

Although, as noted earlier, the Act preserves existing land rights in non-urban areas, the government has not provided sufficient financial and other incentives to enable small dwellers to cultivate their lands and feed themselves and the rest of Nigerians.

5.2 Recommendations

  • Governments should acknowledge and recognize the rights of the indigenous people to their natural heritage and guide them through mutual understanding on how resources should be managed on sustainable basis.
  • The government should revisit the method of land holding in the country and to take drastic measures to address the inequities. It must not only provide family-scale farms with secure titles, free from encumbrances, but must in addition, provide them with adequate credit and technical know-how.
Research Guidelines

The Title Page should be the first section of your project “Possession as Means of Proof of Ownership”, providing essential details like the project title, your name, your supervisor’s name, the institution, and the submission date. After that, the Abstract offers a brief summary of your project, touching on its purpose, methods, results, and conclusions in 150-300 words. The Acknowledgments section is where you can thank those who supported your research, such as your supervisor, peers, or organizations that provided resources.

Next, the Table of Contents organizes the Possession as Means of Proof of Ownership by listing its chapters and sections, along with page numbers for easy reference. The List of Figures and List of Tables help guide readers to specific visual elements like graphs, charts, or tables included in the document. There should also be an Abbreviations and Glossary section to explain any specialized terms or acronyms, making the content clearer to readers unfamiliar with the technical language.

The main body of the Possession as Means of Proof of Ownership should start with the Introduction, which provides background information, outlines the research problem, states your objectives, and gives a brief overview of your research methods. Following that, the Literature Review offers an in-depth look at previous research relevant to your project, identifying gaps your study aims to address. The Methodology section then explains the research design, tools, and data collection methods you used to conduct the project and analyze the data.

In the Results and Discussion section, you present your findings and discuss them in relation to the Possession as Means of Proof of Ownership research questions or objectives, often using tables or charts to help explain the data. The Conclusion summarizes the key results, discusses their implications, and suggests possible directions for future research. You may also include recommendations based on your findings, offering practical advice for improvements or applications. Finally, the Possession as Means of Proof of Ownership project should include a References or Bibliography section to list all the sources you cited, as well as Appendices for any additional material. A Statement of Originality is often included to confirm the authenticity of your work