LEGAL PRINCIPLE: APPELLATE PRACTICE — Grounds of Appeal — Formulation of Issues from a Single Ground of Appeal
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Where the number of issues distilled far exceeds the number of grounds of appeal, it shows palpable ignorance of the law. It means the appellant does not know or is not sure what he is appealing against.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Pats-Acholonu, JSC, in Mercantile Bank of Nig. Plc. & Anor v. Nwobodo (2005) NLC-382001(SC) at p. 2; Paras C–D.
"Where the number of issues distilled are far in excess of the number of grounds of appeal, then the implication is that there has been a parade or display of palpable ignorance, nay, culpable lack of the knowledge of the law. It means that the appellant does not even know or is not sure what he is appealing against."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Issues must correspond to grounds; excess issues indicate confusion. The principle applies to appellate practice. Proper issue formulation requires grounding in the grounds of appeal.