AMUSA DADA & ORS V. BAKARE SHODEKE
August 7, 2025PETER ABU V. THE STATE
August 7, 2025Legalpedia Citation: (1976) Legalpedia (SC) 51119
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Fri Jun 4, 1976
Suit Number: SC. 445/1975
CORAM
SOWEMIMO, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
OKAY ACHIKE JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
OBASEKI, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
JIMOH YESUFU APPELLANTS
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The appellant was tried and convicted in the High Court for the murder of one Bale Kokoro and sentenced to death. The appellant appealed to the court of appeal, and still not satisfied, appealed to the Supreme Court.
HELD
The appeal was dismissed.
ISSUES
That there was no eye witness to the killing and that in convicting the appellant on the evidence of his confessional statement Exhibit A the learned trial Judge followed strictly the test laid down in R. v. Kanu (1952) 14 WACA 30.
RATIONES DECIDENDI
A FREE AND VOLUNTARY CONFESSION OF GUILT BY A PRISONER
A free and voluntary confession of guilt by a prisoner, whether under examination before a magistrate or otherwise, if it is direct and positive and is duly made and satisfactorily proved, is sufficient to warrant convictions without any corroborative evidence so long as the court is satisfied of the truth of the confession.” Per A. O. OBASEKI, AG. JSC.
CASES CITED
Edet Obase v. The State (1965) NMLR 119
Paul Onochie & 7 Ors. v. The Republic (1966) NMLR 307
R. v Kanu 14 WACA 30
STATUTES REFERRED TO
None.
