LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CRIMINAL LAW — Defences — Insanity — Absence of Motive Not Sufficient to Infer Insanity
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
It is trite law that mere absence of any evidence of motive for a crime is not a sufficient ground to infer mania or insanity.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Edozie, JSC, in Guobadia v. State (2004) NLC-2952002(SC) at p. 9; Paras C–D.
"It is conceded that there was no motive established for the murder but it is trite law that mere absence of any evidence of motive for a crime is not a sufficient ground to infer mania: see Egbe Nkanu v. The State (1980) 3-4 SC."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Lack of motive does not prove insanity. The principle applies to criminal law. Motive is not an essential element of a crime. The rule prevents speculative inferences. The accused must adduce positive evidence of insanity. The principle is well-established.
