LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CRIMINAL LAW — Homicide — Murder — Intention to Cause Grievous Harm
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Stabbing a victim in a fragile part of the body such as the heart clearly indicates an intention to cause grievous injury, which is sufficient for murder.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Mohammed, JSC, in Ejeka v. State (2003) NLC-2582001(SC) at pp. 5–6; Paras D–A.
"It is crystal clear that the appellant's act of stabbing the deceased with a jack knife at a fragile part of the body such as heart explains clearly that the appellant's intention was to cause grievous injury to the deceased."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Intent to cause grievous harm is sufficient for murder. The principle applies to criminal law. The nature of the injury demonstrates intent. The rule applies even without intent to kill. The court will infer intent from the act. The principle is well-established.