LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CRIMINAL LAW – Circumstantial evidence – Insufficiency of suspicion to ground conviction
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
There is no law that says people who owned property above their incomes are necessarily suspects who must have got their monies or properties from unauthorised or illegal sources. Suspicion, however strong, cannot ground a conviction.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Kutigi, JSC, in Idowu v. State (1998) NLC-1751997(SC) at p. 7; Paras A–C.
"I am not aware of any law that says people who owned property above their incomes are necessarily suspects who must have got their monies or properties from particular unauthorised or illegal sources."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Wealth alone does not create suspicion of crime. Suspicion is insufficient for conviction. The principle applies to all criminal trials. The prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The rule protects against unjustified inferences. The principle is fundamental.