LEGAL PRINCIPLE: APPELLATE PRACTICE – Concurrent Findings of Fact – Attitude of the Supreme Court to Concurrent Findings of Fact
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The Supreme Court has no duty to interfere with concurrent findings of fact by the two lower courts unless they are shown to be perverse.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Wali, JSC, in Idrisu Ahmed v. The State (1998) NLC-31998(SC) at P. 17; Paras D–E.
"This court has no duty in interfering with concurrent findings of fact by the two lower courts unless they are shown to be perverse."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Concurrent findings are binding on the Supreme Court. Interference requires perversity. The principle applies to all appeals. The appellant bears a heavy burden. The rule promotes finality and efficiency. The Supreme Court will not re-evaluate evidence. The principle respects lower courts.