CCJ denies Berbice man’s bid for adverse possession of land

The bid of a Berbice resident to get legal ownership of a piece of land he had occupied for years failed last month when the judges in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) upheld the decision of the Guyana courts and dismissed his claim for adverse possession.

The man, Jafarally Ali, first approached the High Court for possession of Sub-lot 13 of the North Half of Lot D, Number 78 Village, Springlands, Berbice, but on March, 18, 2010 Justice Ramlall dismissed his claim. Ali appealed the ruling but this too was dismissed on March 23, 2012. He then moved to the CCJ and once again failed when the Caribbean court ruled against him on May 15.

Named as respondents in the case were John Choong, substituted for Andrew P Choong who died during the proceedings; Razeeka Sankat, who purchased the piece of land; and the Registrar of Deeds of Guyana. Attorneys Rajendra Poonai and Parmanand Mohanlall appeared for