LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CRIMINAL LAW — Forgery — Proof of — Knowledge of Forgery Sufficient Under Section 112(a) of Armed Forces Decree
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Under Section 112(a) of the Armed Forces Decree, knowledge on the part of the accused that the document was a forged one is enough to ground his conviction for forgery.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Ejiwunmi, JSC, in Nigerian Air Force v. Obiosa (2003) NLC-3612001(SC) at pp. 28–29; Paras D–A.
"By virtue of its provisions, S.112 (a) thereof, knowledge on the part of the accused that the document was a forged one is enough to ground his conviction for forgery."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Knowledge of forgery suffices for conviction under the relevant provision. The principle applies to military law. The prosecution need not prove actual making of the document. The rule facilitates enforcement. The principle is statutory.Knowledge of forgery suffices for conviction under the relevant provision. The principle applies to military law. The prosecution need not prove actual making of the document. The rule facilitates enforcement. The principle is statutory.