LEGAL PRINCIPLE: APPELLATE PRACTICE — Issues for Determination — Formulation Must Be Tailored to Real Issues in Controversy
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Issues for determination should be formulated in general practical terms and tailored to the real issues in controversy. Prolixity or proliferation of issues obscures the core issue. Appeals are not won on quantity of grounds but on quality of content.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Edozie, JSC, in Ibrahim v. Ojomo & Ors (2004) NLC-2492000(SC) at pp. 6–7; Paras D–A.
"Issues for determination in an appeal should be formulated in general practical terms and tailored to the real issues in controversy in the case. Prolixity or proliferation of issues is not ideal as it tends to obscure the core issue to be determined and tends to reduce the issue to trifles. Appeals are not won on large number or quantity of grounds of appeal but on the quality of the content of the grounds of appeal and issues."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Issues must be practical, general, and tailored to the real controversy. Too many issues obscure the core matters. The principle applies to appellate practice. Quality of content matters more than quantity of grounds or issues. Prolixity reduces issues to trifles. The rule promotes focused, efficient appellate advocacy.
