LEGAL PRINCIPLE: EVIDENCE LAW — Confessional Statement — Admissibility — Admission by Accused of Making Statement and Correctness of Contents — Effect
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Where an accused person in his evidence admits making statements to the police and affirms that the facts stated therein are correct, such statements are properly admitted in evidence, and it cannot be contended that it is unsafe to conclude that the statements were made by the accused.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Ogundare, JSC, in Anyanwu v. State (2002) NLC-3282001(SC) at pp. 5–6; Paras A–C.
"Where an accused person in his evidence before the court admits making statements to the police and affirms that the facts stated therein are correct, such statements are properly admitted in evidence and it cannot be contended that it is unsafe to conclude that the statements were made by the accused."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
When an accused admits making a statement and affirms its correctness, the statement is properly admitted. The accused cannot later challenge its admissibility. The principle applies where the accused testifies that the statement is true. The court may rely on the statement without further proof. The rule applies to both judicial and extrajudicial statements. The accused’s admission removes any issue of voluntariness. The principle promotes judicial efficiency. The court will not require additional proof of the statement. The accused is bound by his admission. The rule applies even if the statement was not formally tendered through the police officer. The principle prevents accused persons from contradicting their own admissions.