UMUDJE & ANOR V SHELL -BP PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED
August 8, 2025SOUTH-EASTERN STATE NEWSPAPER CORPORATION & ANOR V EDET ASUQUO ANWARA
August 8, 2025Legalpedia Citation: (1975) Legalpedia (SC) 10616
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Fri Nov 28, 1975
Suit Number: FSC. 394/1974
CORAM
GEORGE S. SOWEMIMO, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
ATANDA FATAYI, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
ANIAGOLU JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
ANTHONY IGBO APPELLANTS
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The appellant was convicted and sentenced to death on a charge of murder of one Paul Dunu, a ten-year old boy.
HELD
The court held that an accused person can be convicted on the evidence of a single but credible witness.
ISSUES
None
RATIONES DECIDENDI
STATUS OF EVIDENCE OF A SINGLE WITNESS
1. If the evidence of a single witness sufficiently proves the case against an accused person and the trial court accepts the evidence there is no rule of law or practice dissuading the court from convicting on the evidence. Per Obaseki AG, J.S.C
DISCHARGE OF BURDEN OF PROOF BY THE PROSECUTION
2. In discharging the burden of proof cast upon it the prosecution has a duty to place before the Court all available relevant evidence. This does not mean that all available witnesses must be brought to Court to testify. Per Obaseki AG, J.S.C
CASES CITED
R. v. Dyson (1908) 2 KB, 454, 1 Cr. App. R13Police v. Daniel Nunoo Kwasie (1952-1955) 14 WACA 319Joshua Alonge v. Inspector-General of Police (1959) 4 FSC 203R. v. Mansu 12 WACA 113 at page 114
STATUTES REFERRED TO
The Criminal Code Law Chapter 30 Vol. II Laws of Eastern Nigeria 1963Evidence Law Cap. 49 Vol. 3 Laws of Eastern NigeriaRex v. George Kuree (1941) 7 WACA 175
