LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CIVIL PROCEDURE – Pleadings and Evidence – Evidence Must Be Supported by Pleadings
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The court concluded that from whatever angle the issue was examined, the state of the parties' pleadings could not justify or support the contract sum claimed in Exhibit 7A nor could it satisfactorily displace the pleaded contract sum.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
"The court below came to the conclusion that from whatever angle the issue was examined, the state of the parties pleadings could not justify or support the contract sum of N1,748,771.72 in Exhibit 7A nor could it satisfactorily displace the pleaded contract sum of N1,234,719.73..."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Evidence, however compelling, cannot establish facts not pleaded. Parties are bound by their pleadings—evidence supporting different contract sums or facts than those pleaded is irrelevant and inadmissible. If pleadings state contract sum as N1,234,719.73, evidence of N1,748,771.72 cannot be relied upon unless pleadings are amended. This strict rule serves: fair notice (opponents prepare based on pleadings), issue definition (pleadings frame disputes), and preventing surprise (parties know the case to meet). Courts cannot: accept evidence contradicting pleadings, substitute unpleaded facts for pleaded ones, or base findings on matters outside pleadings. The remedy when evidence reveals different facts: amend pleadings (if timely), or proceed on pleaded facts only. This principle requires alignment between pleadings and evidence—what’s proved must match what’s pleaded. Without such alignment, even clear evidence cannot support claims. Parties must ensure pleadings accurately reflect their cases before trial.