LEGAL PRINCIPLE: MILITARY LAW — Court Martial — Judicial Notice — Matters Within General Service Knowledge
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Courts Martial are specially authorised to take notice of all matters within their general service knowledge. Evidence need not be given as to relative ranks, general duties, obligations, and authority of different members of the service.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Ejiwunmi, JSC, in Nigerian Air Force v. Obiosa (2003) NLC-3612001(SC) at p. 32; Paras D–E.
"Courts Martial are specially authorized to take notice of all matters within their general service knowledge. Evidence therefore need not be given as to the relative ranks of officers, as to the general duties, obligations and authority of different members of the service, or generally as to any matter which an officer as such might reasonably be expected to know."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Courts martial may take judicial notice of service matters. The principle applies to military law. Evidence is not required for common knowledge within the service. The rule promotes efficiency. The principle is well-established.