LEGAL PRINCIPLE: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE — Confessional Statement — Best Evidence in Criminal Procedure
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
A confessional statement is the best evidence in our criminal procedure. It is a statement of admission of guilt by the accused and the court must admit it in evidence, unless it is contested at the trial.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Tobi, JSC, in Solola & Anor v. State (2005) NLC-2682003(SC) at pp. 25–26; Paras D–A.
"A confessional statement is the best evidence in our criminal procedure. It is a statement of admission of guilt by the accused and the court must admit it in evidence, unless it is contested at the trial."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Confessional statements are the best evidence in criminal procedure. They must be admitted unless contested at trial. The principle applies to criminal evidence.