STATUTORY INTERPRETATION — Ejusdem Generis Rule — General Words Following Particular Expressions Confined to Same Genus
Principle Statement
The ejusdem generis rule is an interpretative rule which the court applies in an appropriate case to confine the scope of general words which follow special words as used in a statutory provision or document within the genus of those special words.
Ratio Decidendi (Source)
Per Edozie, JSC, in Ojukwu v. Obasanjo & Ors (2004) NLC-1992003(SC) at p. 47; Paras A–B.
"The ejusdem generis rule is an interpretative rule which the court applies in an appropriate case to confine the scope of general words which follow special words as used in a statutory provision or document within the genus of those special words."
Explanation / Scope
General words following specific words are confined to the same class. The principle applies to statutory interpretation. The rule prevents expansive reading of general words. The court will apply ejusdem generis where appropriate. The principle is well-established.
