EVIDENCE LAW — Admissibility — Relevance as Cardinal Consideration
Principle Statement
Ordinarily admissibility of evidence is governed by section 6 of the Evidence Act. The cardinal consideration in the admissibility of a document is relevance. Once a piece of document is relevant, it is admissible.
Ratio Decidendi (Source)
Per Adekeye, JSC, in Okoye v. Obiaso (2010) NLC-123-232-2003(SC) at p. 20; Paras A–B.
"Ordinarily admissibility of evidence is governed by section 6 of the Evidence Act. The cardinal consideration in the admissibility of a document is relevance. Once a piece of document is relevant, it is admissible."
Explanation / Scope
This principle establishes that relevance is the cardinal consideration for admissibility under Section 6 of the Evidence Act. Once a document is relevant, it is admissible. The principle applies where admissibility is challenged. It ensures that relevant evidence is admitted. The principle reflects that relevance is the primary test. It prevents exclusion of relevant evidence on technical grounds. The court must determine relevance. The principle provides guidance on the admissibility of documents.
