So many people including the Surveyors see the survey plan as a title document, a registrable instrument or a proof of title to the land. With due respect, their views in this regard are wrong completely.

Then, what is the position of the Law about the Survey plan?

In Jiwul v Dimlong, (2003) 9 NWLR, it was held that “the function of a survey plan is only for the purpose of the identification of the parcel of land.”

This was corroborated in Onisile v Apo, (2014) 13 W.R.N, where it was held that “a survey plan and the ruling of the Magistrate Court are not documents of title that could assist or help the case of the appellant.”

Furthermore, in L.J.A. Ita & ors v Mr Etim Ita & ors (2013) AELR 2612 the court held that “the purpose of tendering a survey plan is to show with reasonable certainty the identity and extent of the land claimed, reflecting all the features of the land and showing clearly the boundaries …; it was further held that a survey plan cannot be tendered as proof of title to land.”

(Credit to Surv Barr. Osaretin Ogbebor)