"Parties are bound by their pleadings, because the pleadings form their battleground. Whatever is not pleaded is not an issue and any skirmishes on unpleaded issue is a mere waste...
Explore NLC Curated Legal Principles
"This Court has said it times without number that it is the duty of a court to give its decision on issues raised before it — see Okhideme v. Toto...
"An appellate court has a duty to consider all the issues placed before it vide Okonji v. Njokanma (1991) 7 NWLR (Pt.202) 131. But in the instant case the issue...
"While it is true that such a course has its own risks because a Judge of utmost sincerity and optimum honesty, as well as profound industry and knowledge of the...
"The general rule is that a court has a duty to pronounce on all material issues raised before it. But the result of a court of appeal not complying with...
"Although an appeal court should be wary of formulating or introducing new issues for determination in an appeal before it, where the issues postulated by the parties are inappropriate or...
"The main purpose of the formulation of issues for determination is to enable the parties to narrow the issue or issues in controversy in the grounds of appeal filed in...
"Issues or questions for determination in an appeal are framed from the grounds of appeal before the court. Consequently any issue, argument or other part of a brief which has...
"It is a mandatory requirement that an issue for the determination of appeal must relate to and be distilled from any of the grounds of appeal. If it does not...
"A decision within the meaning of section 277(1) of the 1979 Constitution envisages any determination on an issue joined by or litigated by the parties before the court."
"An appellant is at liberty to withdraw or abandon any of his grounds of appeal. He may withdraw a ground of appeal by applying to the Court to do so....
"Even when a court raises a point suo motu, the parties must be given an opportunity to be heard on the point, particularly the party that may suffer a loss...