CIVIL PROCEDURE — Evidence — Principle in Akinola v. Oluwo — Evidence Adduced by Plaintiff May Enure in Favour of Defendant

Evidence once admitted belongs to the court and can be used by either party, regardless of who called the witness. If the plaintiff’s own evidence, under cross-examination or through his witnesses, weakens his case or strengthens the defendant’s position, the court is entitled to act on it. This principle prevents a party from selectively relying on evidence and ensures that the court has a complete picture of the facts. It applies particularly where the plaintiff’s evidence establishes a fact that supports the defendant’s pleaded case, such as the true identity of the land or the proper root of title.