LEGAL PRINCIPLE: EVIDENCE LAW — Proof of Enactments — Published Legal Instruments — No Requirement to Plead or Tender
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Being a published legal enactment or instrument, it was not necessary to plead it or tender it in court before a court can consider it.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Kalgo, JSC, in Lakanmi v. Adene & Ors (2003) NLC-251999(SC) at p. 14; Paras B–C.
"Being a published legal enactment or instrument, it was not necessary in the circumstances of this case to plead it or tender it in court before a court can consider it."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Published legal enactments need not be pleaded or tendered. The principle applies to evidence law. Courts take judicial notice of statutes and legal instruments. The rule promotes efficiency. The court may consider published laws without formal proof. The principle is well-established.