PETER NWACHUKWU EZE V. THE STATE
August 8, 2025CHIEF REGISTRAR, HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE V. VAMOS NAVIGATION LTD
August 8, 2025Legalpedia Citation: (1976) Legalpedia (SC) 15151
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Fri Jan 16, 1976
Suit Number: SC. 172/1975
CORAM
SOWEMIMO, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
IDIGBE, JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
IDRIS LEGBO KUTIGI, JSC JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
SUNDAY ONUNGWA APPELLANTS
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The appellant was the first to get to a palm tree to harvest but was not equipped for climbing. The deceased had an agent who wanted to climb the appellant tree but the appellant refused. When he moved away, appellant struck the deceased with a matchet.
HELD
The court held that a free and voluntary confession of guilt if it is direct and positive is sufficient proof of guilt and can sustain a conviction.
ISSUES
Whether the guilt of the accused could be determined from his confession though it was extra judicial
RATIONES DECIDENDI
CONFESSIONAL STATEMENTS
Admission made at anytime by a person charged with a crime suggesting the inference that he committed the offence is a relevant fact against the maker and if made voluntarily is admissible in evidence. Equally any information given by a person accused of an offence leading to discovery of any fact material to the charge against him, if made voluntarily is relevant and admissible and such information is no less voluntary merely because it was given in answer to a question asked in the course of interrogation.”PER IDIGBE, JSC
CASES CITED
R V. WALTER SYKES (1913) 8 CAR 233; R V. AJAGBE 2 WACA 353
R V. AJAYI OMOKARO (1914) 7 WACA 146
STATUTES REFERRED TO
