LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CIVIL PROCEDURE — Pleadings — Party Bound by Pleadings — Evidence Contrary to Pleadings Goes to No Issue
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
A party in a civil case is bound by his pleadings: Any evidence called by a party which is contrary to his pleadings goes to no issue.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Katsina-Alu, JSC Itauma v. Akpe-Ime (2000) NLC-231995(SC) at p. 14; Paras. B–C.
"A party in a civil case is bound by his pleadings: Any evidence called by a party which is contrary to his pleadings goes to no issue."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
This restates the fundamental rule that parties are strictly bound by their pleadings. Where a party leads evidence that contradicts or is inconsistent with the case set out in their pleadings, such evidence is legally irrelevant and must be disregarded by the court. It “goes to no issue” because there is no pleaded foundation to support it. The rule ensures fairness, prevents surprise, and maintains the integrity of the adversarial process by requiring parties to adhere to the case they have formally presented to the court and the opposing party.