LEGAL PRINCIPLE: APPELLATE PRACTICE — Concurrent Findings — Supreme Court Will Not Interfere Absent Special Circumstances
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The Supreme Court will not ordinarily interfere with concurrent findings absent special circumstances justifying such interference. No such circumstances existed in this case.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Kalgo, JSC, in Umoru & Anor v. Zibiri & Ors (2003) NLC-1231999(SC) at p. 15; Paras A–B.
"This court will not ordinarily interfere with such findings unless special circumstances are shown to justify such interference. These circumstances have been explained in various decisions of this court and I need not repeat them here. Suffice it to say however, that no such circumstances exist here."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Concurrent findings are binding absent special circumstances. The principle applies to all appeals. The Supreme Court will not re-evaluate evidence. The rule promotes finality. The appellant must show special circumstances. The principle is well-established.