LEGAL PRINCIPLE: EVIDENCE LAW — Admissibility of Evidence — Consent to Admission of Document Estops Party from Later Objecting
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
A document may be inadmissible, but the parties can consent to its admission. Once this happens, none of the parties will be allowed to resile from such an agreement. They are estopped from doing so.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Uwais, CJN, in Ibori v. Agbi & Ors (2004) NLC-972003(SC) at pp. 48–49; Paras E–A.
"A document may be inadmissible but the parties in the case can consent to its being admitted. Once this has happened none of the parties will be allowed to resile from such an agreement. They are estopped to do so."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Consent to admission of a document estops the party from later objecting. The principle applies to evidence law. Even if the document is technically inadmissible, consent cures the defect. The rule promotes procedural fairness. A party cannot agree to admission and later challenge it. The principle is well-established.