CONTRACT LAW ā Breach of Contract ā Justification for Breach May Exist Though Wrong Reason Given
Principle Statement
If a party repudiated and gave no reason at all, all reasons and defences in the action would be open to him. His motives are immaterial, and his reasons should not be crucial.
Ratio Decidendi (Source)
Per Edozie, JSC, in Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry v. Integrated Gas (Nigeria) Limited & Anor (2005) NLC-2532000(SC) at p. 16; Paras EāA.
"If he had repudiated, given no reason at all, I suppose all reasons and all defences in the action, partial or complete, would be open to him. His motives certainly are immaterial and I do not see why his reasons should be crucial."
Explanation / Scope
Justification for breach may exist even if wrong reason given; motives immaterial. The principle applies to contract law.
