GAMBO MUSA VS THE STATE

Legalpedia Citation: (2009-07) Legalpedia 22288 (SC)

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria

Holden at Abuja

Fri Jul 3, 2009

Suit Number: SC 323/2006

CORAM


M MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT

F F. TABAI, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT

P O. ADEREMI, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT

J A. FABIYI, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT

O O. ADEKEYE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT


PARTIES


GAMBO MUSA

APPELLANTS 


THE STATE

RESPONDENTS 


AREA(S) OF LAW


CRIMINAL LAW – PROVOCATION – CONCURRENT FINDINGS OF FACTS

 

 


SUMMARY OF FACTS

The appellant was convicted for the murder of the deceased, Idris. He raised a defence of provocation and self-defence. His conviction and sentence by the trial court was affirmed by the Court of Appeal. He has further appealed.

 

 


HELD


Appeal dismissed

 

 


ISSUES


NONE

 


RATIONES DECIDENDI


CONTRADICTION THAT WILL VITIATE A TRIAL


1.Contradiction, to be worthy of note, must relate to the substance and indeed the vital ingredients of the offence charged. Trivial contradiction should not vitiate a trial. Per FABIYI, JSC

 

 


WHAT WILL AMOUNT TO PROVOCATION


The utterance or action of the Deceased to the Accused must be such that would cause a reasonable person and actually caused the Accused a sudden and temporary loss of self-control, so much so that for the moment he is not a master of his mind. Per FABIYI, JSC

 

 


CASES CITED


1. Nwosu v. Broad of Customs & Excise (1988) 5 NWLR (Pt. 93) 225;

2. Nneji v. Chukwu (1996) 10 NWLR (Pt. 378) 265.

3. Ankwa v. The State (1969) All NLR 133,

4. Omisade v. Queen (1964) 1 All NLR 233

5. Sele v. The State (1993) 1 NWLR (Pt. 269) 276; (1993) 1 SCNJ 15 at 22-23.

6. R. V Duffy  (1949) 1 All E.R. 8932; Mancini v. D.P.P (1942) A.C. 19.

7. R. V Blake (1942) WACA 118.

 

 


STATUTES REFERRED TO


Panel Code

 


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