Principle Archive

The jurisdiction of the National Assembly Election Tribunal under Section 285(1)(b) of the Constitution is limited to disputes arising from whether the term of office of…

The panel of the Court of Appeal that delivers judgment in an appeal must be the same panel that heard the appeal. A justice who did…

For a court to be competent, it must be properly constituted as regards the number and qualifications of its members, and no member must be disqualified.…

For a judgment of the Court of Appeal to be valid and complete, all Justices who heard the appeal must reduce their judgments or opinions to…

A public authority, such as a statutory corporation, has the power to enter into contracts of employment with its servants. Where the enabling statute provides a…

When a court is faced with the construction of a statutory provision that is in pari materia (on the same subject matter) with a provision previously…

The arraignment and taking of the plea of an accused person is the very commencement of a criminal trial. It is the stage when the accused…

Where an essential element of the offence charged is not admitted in the accused's statement, that statement cannot be relied upon as a confession to sustain…

The court has the vires to declare or set aside a registered chieftaincy declaration found to be unconstitutional or contrary to the provisions of any Act…

Where a military standing order prohibits "visits to foreign missions" or "unauthorised visits to foreign missions," the prohibition is directed at the officer's personal visit or…

It is settled law that penal statutes are to be construed strictly to the benefit of the accused person. Where there is a reasonable construction that…

A confession must be direct, positive, and unequivocal. A statement that amounts only to an implication in a crime or that is equivocal in nature cannot…