LEGAL PRINCIPLE: EVIDENCE LAW – Estoppel – Conduct and Express Approval as Recognition
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
By conduct and express approval the status of the Abenimota family as a Ruling House was recognised... Exhibit 20 was jointly signed by the representatives of both Ruling Houses. Thus by conduct and express approval the status of the Abenimota family as a Ruling House was recognised.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Karibi-Whyte, JSC, in Wilson v. Oshin (2000) NLC-2291994(SC) at p. 19; Paras D–E.
"By conduct and express approval the status of the Abenimota family as a Ruling House was recognised... Exhibit 20 was jointly signed by the representatives of both Ruling Houses. Thus by conduct and express approval the status of the Abenimota family as a Ruling House was recognised."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Recognition of status may be established through conduct and express approval, not only through formal declarations. Joint signatures on documents by representatives of both Ruling Houses constitute recognition by conduct. Such recognition creates estoppel—parties cannot later deny the status they previously acknowledged. Conduct includes signing agreements, participating in joint actions, or making statements consistent with recognition. This principle prevents parties from shifting positions to suit changing interests. Estoppel by conduct applies where a party has acted in a manner consistent with recognition of another’s status, inducing reliance.