MOBIL OIL (NIG) LTD. VS FEDERAL BOARD OF INLAND REVENUE
August 6, 2025RAYMOND NWOKEDI V COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
August 6, 2025Legalpedia Citation: (1977-03) Legalpedia (SC) 11177
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria
HOLDEN AT ENUGU
Fri Mar 18, 1977
Suit Number: SC. 481/1975
CORAM
ALEXANDER, CHIEF JUSTICE, NIGERIA
IRIKEFE, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
MADARIKAN, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
OKORO MARIAGBE
APPELLANTS
THE STATE
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
CRIMINAL LAW- MURDER-CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The appellant was charged with the murder of the deceased because he was seen with blood stains, awolowo weeds prevalent in the scene of the murder and his dagger was found at the scene of the murder too.
HELD
The court held that the case made by the prosecution against the appellant fell far short of the degree of conclusiveness sufficient to found a conviction based on circumstantial evidence.
ISSUES
Whether the sum total of the evidence produced by the prosecution against the appellant has that degree of conclusiveness that could form the basis of a conviction in respect of a crime
RATIONES DECIDENDI
EXAMINATION OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Thus while we agree that circumstantial evidence is admissible in criminal cases “such evidence must be always narrowly examined, if only because evidence of this kind maybe fabricated to cast suspicion on another is also necessary before drawing the inference of the accused guilt from circumstantial evidence to be sure that there are no other co-existing circumstances which would weaken or destroy the inference. PER IRIKEFE JSC
CASES CITED
R V.OROROSOKADE (1960) 5 FSC 208
TEPER V. THE QUEEN (1952) AC 480
STATUTES REFERRED TO
Not Available
