PRINCIPLE STATEMENT

It is certainly a cardinal principle of interpretation that where in their ordinary meaning the provisions are clear and unambiguous effect must be given to them without resorting to any aid internal or external. It is the duty of the court to interpret the words of the law maker as used.

RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)

Per Kutigi, JSC, in A.G., Ondo State v. A.G., Ekiti State (2001) NLC-1362000(SC) at pp. 26–27; Paras E–A.
"It is certainly a cardinal principle of interpretation that where in their ordinary meaning the provisions are clear and unambiguous effect must be given to them without resorting to any aid internal or external. It is the duty of the court to interpret the words of the law maker as used."
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EXPLANATION / SCOPE

When statutory language is clear and unambiguous, courts must give it its ordinary meaning without resorting to external aids (e.g., legislative history, purposive construction). The court’s duty is to interpret the words as used by the lawmaker. This is the cardinal principle of literal interpretation. If the meaning is plain, the court cannot depart from it, even if it dislikes the result. The legislature is presumed to mean what it says. External aids are only permissible where ambiguity exists. The principle respects legislative supremacy and prevents judicial rewriting of statutes. Clear words must be given effect as written.

CASES APPLYING THIS PRINCIPLE

None recorded.