Emmanuel Egwumi Vs The State (2013)

LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report

BODE RHODES-VIVOUR, J.S.C.

The appellant as accused person was charged along with eight other accused persons who did not stand trial.

The charge against the appellant read:

1ST HEAD OF CHARGE

That you Emmanuel Egwemi and others presently of large, namely David Nwadike, Boyi Nyekwewu, Raphael Boyi, Joel Boyi, Udalor Uchegwe, Thomas Anayi, Edogo Nnaye and Okolo Achemoye presently standing trial in this honourable court, on or about the 29th day of November 1998 at Akumaji in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, agreed to do an illegal act to wit, invade the home of one Alhaji Umoru Bamayi, caused destruction to his properties and that of his wives and that of his children, beaten (sic) up his wife and eventually ended up by killing the said Alhaji Umoru Bamayi and that the same acts were done in pursuance of the agreement and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 97 of the penal Code.

2ND HEAD OF CHARGE

That you Emmanuel Egwemi and others presently of large, namely David Nwadike, Boyi Nyekwewu, Raphael Boyi, Joel Boyi, Udalor Uchegwe, Thomas Anayi, Edogo Nnaye and Okolo Achemoye presently standing trial in this honourable court, on or about the 29th day of November 1998 at Akumaji in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State caused the death of Alhaji Umoru of Okumaji Ibaji by doing an act to wit: by drowning and cutting off his head with the knowledge or had reason to know that death would be the probable consequence of your act and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 221 of the penal Code.

3RD HEAD OF CHARGE

That you Emmanuel Egwemi and others presently of large, namely David Nwadike, Boyi Nyekwewu, Raphael Boyi, Joel Boyi, Udalor Uchegwe, Thomas Anayi, Edogo Nnaye and Okolo Achemoye presently standing trial in this honourable court, on or about the 29th day of November 1998 of Akumaji in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State caused bodily pains to Madam Ramatu Umoru by beating her to a plump (sic) leading to her hospitalization and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 245 of the Penal Code.

4TH HEAD OF CHARGE

That you Emmanuel Egwemi and others presently of large, namely David Nwadike, Boyi Nyekwewu, Raphael Boyi, Joel Boyi, Udalor Uchegwe, Thomas Anayi, Edodo Nnaji and Okolo Achemoye presently standing trial in this honourable court, on or about the 29th day of November 1998 of Akumaji in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, caused destruction to the properties of Alhaji Umoru Bamayi his wives and children and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 327 of the Penal Code.

The 1st head of charge is criminal conspiracy contrary to section 97 of the Penal Code.

The 2nd head of charge is culpable homicide contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code.

The 3rd head of charge is voluntarily causing grievous hurt contrary to section 245 of the Penal Code.

The 4th head of charge is Mischief contrary to section 327 of the penal Code.

Trial commenced on the 16th day of July 2003 before on Anyiogba High Court in Kogi State. S.T. Hussaini, J presided. The appellant/accused person entered not guilty pleas to the four counts preferred against him.

The prosecution called seven witnesses. The accused person gave evidence. He called two witnesses. Documents which included the appellants statement were admitted as exhibits.

In a well considered judgment delivered on the 16th day of December 2004 the learned trial judge found the accused person guilty of counts 1st, 2nd and 4th (the 3rd count was abandoned by the prosecution) in these words:

“The accused person set out along with others whose names appear in evidence on a mission ostensibly to annihilate and wipe out Umoru Bamayi from the surface of the earth.

And so they marched to his house and caught him off-guard. They beat him to a state of plump (sic). That was at Okumaji.

They were not done yet. He was taken away in a most humiliating manner his hands were tied behind his back. He was taken to the riverside where Umoru Bamayi life was snuffed out of him. It was most brutish and mindless of them. There is nothing on record that can justify this hideous act. I hold that the prosecution has proved their case beyond reasonable doubt.

And so the appellant was sentenced to death by hanging. Dissatisfied he lodged an appeal. The appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division. That court affirmed the judgment of the trial court and observed in the concluding paragraph of the judgment thus:

In conclusion I have not seen anything upon which I can disturb the findings, decision, conviction and sentence on the appellant and so I dismiss this appeal which lacks merit. I uphold the decision, conviction and sentence of the court below.”

This appeal is against that judgment. In accordance with Rules of this court briefs were filed and exchanged by counsel. Learned counsel for the appellant filed an appellant’s brief on the 24th day of January 2011 and a Reply brief on the 1st of April 2011. Learned counsel for the respondent filed the respondent’s brief on the 8th of March 2011.

Learned counsel for the appellant formulated six issues for determination. They are:

1. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in relying on the precis of the Statement of the appellant tendered and admitted as exhibit YY to hold that the appellant did not give the kind of details of the alibi which could have demolished the accusations on him of having committed the crimes for which he was charged, convicted and sentenced.
2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in upholding the rejection of the defence of Alibi put forward by the appellant.
3. Whether the learned justices of the Court of Appeal were not in error when they held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt notwithstanding the material contradictious in the evidence of the prosecution witnesses.
4. Whether PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 were not tainted witnesses with their own interest to serve.
5. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the appellant was sufficiently identified having regard to the evidence of identification before the court.
6. Whether the learned trial judge did not err in law in assuming jurisdiction and entertaining the charge of Criminal Conspiracy culpable homicide punishable with death and mischief against the appellant.

On his part learned counsel for the respondent formulated five issues for determination. They are:

1. Whether there were material contradictions in the evidence of the prosecution’s case such that the prosecution could not be said to have proved the charges against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt.
2. Whether PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 were tainted witnesses with their own interest to serve.
3. Whether the Court of Appeal was right to hold that based on the evidence of identification before the lower court, the appellant has been properly and sufficiently identified by the prosecution witnesses.
4. Whether the learned justices of the Court of Appeal properly considered and rejected the appellants plea of Alibi.
5. Whether the learned trial judge rightly assumed jurisdiction over the charge of murder and other offences against the appellant.

An examination of issues formulated by counsel reveals they ask the same questions. I would in the circumstances address the issues formulated by the appellant to resolves this appeal. They shall be addressed in no particular order.

At the hearing of the appeal on the 29th of November 2012 learned counsel for the appellant, C.I. Enweluzo Esq. adopted the appellant brief filed on 24/1/11 and reply brief filed on 1/4/11. He urged this court to allow the appeal.

Learned counsel for the respondent Joe Abrahams Esq adopted the respondent brief filed on 8/3/11. He urged on us to dismiss the appeal.

THE FACTS

On the 29th day of November 1998, a mob armed with dangerous weapons to wit: cutlasses, knives, guns set out for the house of Alhaji Umoru Bamayi (deceased). The mob was made up of several persons and the appellant was one of them. The mob came from Itoduma village. Alhaji Umoru Bamayi lived in Okumayi.

Both villages are in Kogi State. Seeing the mob approaching PW1 and PW2, children/close relations of Alhaji Umoru Bamayi ran into the bush beside their fathers’ house where from their vantage position they saw events unfold. PW3 in the compound beside Alhaji Umoru Bamayi’s house corroborated the testimony of PW1 and PW2 as he also saw the attack. On arrival the mob beat up Alhaji Umoru Bamayi so bad. He was shot, his hands were tied, then he was bundled off to a nearby river. His wife who pleaded with the mob to spare her husband’s life suffered a similar experience. She was badly beaten. At the river the mob submerged his body and drowned him, he was brought up.

The appellant cut off his head and made away with it in full view of PW6. This was indeed a brutal and savage attack better imagined, but it was real. It happened.

Issues 1 and 2 would be taken together since they are on Alibi. I hereby reproduce both issues.

1. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in relying on the precis of the statement of the appellant tendered and admitted as exhibit YY to hold that the appellant did not give the kind of details of the alibi which could have demolished the accusations on him of having committed the crimes for which he was charged, convicted and sentenced.
2. Whether the Court of Appeal was right in upholding the rejection of the defence and Alibi put forward by the appellant.

Learned counsel for the appellant observed that there was nothing in exhibit YY1, the statement of the appellant to show that there was compliance with Section 36(6) (a) of the Constitution. Relying on

Queen v. Wilcox 1961 2 SCNLR P.296

State v. Okoro 1964 1 ALL NLR P.423

Onyegbu v. State 1995 4 NWLR pt.391 p. 510.

He submitted that in the absence of compliance exhibit YY1 is unconstitutional, worthless, null and void.

On Alibi learned counsel submitted that the investigating police officers foiled to investigate the appellants defence of Alibi and both the learned trial judge and the Court of Appeal were wrong to reject it. Relying on Fatai Adele v. State 1995 2 NWLR pt.377 p.269

Ifeanyi Chukwu v. State 1996 7 NWLR pt.463 p.686

He submitted that the police has a duty to strictly investigate an alibi in order to approve or disprove it, but in this case the Police failed woefully to investigate it. He urged this court to resolve this issue in favour of the appellant.

Learned counsel for the respondent observed that the alibi set up by the appellant was by its very nature incapable of investigation because of its improbability of the facts and in such a case it will not be necessary to investigate. Relying on

Ukwunenyi v. State 1989 7 SCNJ p.34

Udoebre v. State 6 NSCQR p. 755 at p.770

He submitted that the appellant failed to discharge the evidential burden on him in setting up his defence of alibi, contending that issue of alibi is tenuous, an afterthought. He urged this court to dismiss this appeal and affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

Learned counsel for the appellant complains that there was nothing in exhibit YY1 to show compliance with the provisions of section 35 (6)(a) of the Constitution. It states that:

“(6) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be entitled to-

(a) be informed promptly in the language that he understands and in detail of the nature of the offence.

Section 36 (6)(a) of the Constitution applies to trials, and it to the contents of an accused person’s statement. An accused person who does not understand the language of the court, and is not represented by counsel must be provided with an interpreter. Failure to provide an interpreter would amount to a clear breach of his right to fair hearing and may render the trial a nullity. Where accused person is represented by counsel and there was no objection on the issue it would amount to a futile exercise to raise it on appeal. See

Lockman v. State 1972 ALL NLR P.498

State v. Gwonto 1983 1 SCNLR P.142

Madu v. State 1997 1 NWLR pt. 483 p.386

There is nothing in the Constitution which makes exhibit YY1 unconstitutional and if there was the fact that there was no complaint about exhibit YY1 during trial and in the Court of Appeal is indicative of the fact, that, that threshold had been well and truly passed. Exhibit YY1 is good in Law.

1. ALIBI

When an accused person raises the defence of alibi what he is saying is that when the offence for which I am charged was committed I was elsewhere.

1. The defence of alibi must be properly put at the earliest opportunity by the accused person and this would be when he has the opportunity to make his statement to the Police. It must be detailed on where he was on the date in question who he was with. It would then be the duty of the prosecution (the investigating police officer) to investigate it. Failure to investigate properly may cost some doubt on the probability of the prosecutions case.
2. The accused person is required to raise the defence of alibi and adduce evidence in support. The burden of proving an alibi is on the prosecution and not on the accused person.
3. A defence of alibi fails when the prosecution is able to show that the accused person was at the scene of crime when the offence was committed.
4. Where an alibi is raised for the first time during trial the prosecution is expected to rely on its witnesses to show that the alibi is untrue, since at this stage the alibi cannot be investigated.

See

Adedeji v. State 1 ALL NLR p. 75

Ikono v. State 1973 5SC p. 231

Njovens v. State 1973 SC p.11

Onyegbo v. State 1995 4 NWLR pt. 391 p. 510.

The offences for which the appellant was charged were committed on the 29th day of November 1998 at Akumaji in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State. The alibi raised by the appellant was that between 1996 and 1999 he was at Bacita, and on 29/11/98 the day the offence were committed he was at Bacita. This testimony was corroborated by DW1, Christopher Eguche.

After examining the statement of the appellant the Court of Appeal found that:

“…the defence of alibi cannot be considered in isolation from the evidence of participation in the crime charged whereas in this case the evidence of the prosecution witnesses has fixed the accused person at the scene of crime the alibi raised by him has been effectively demolished………”

PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 are eyewitnesses to the part played by the appellant in the death of Alhaji Umoru Bamayi on the 29th of November 1998. PW1 was not cross-examined on his testimony that he saw the appellant among the mob that attacked and beat up the deceased on 29/11/98. PW2, PW3 and PW5 were cross-examined on this issue but they remained unshakened under cross-examination.

Their evidence clearly fixes the appellant at the scene of the crime and the alibi fades into insignificance. With such overwhelming evidence the alibi is worthless and is clearly on afterthought.

See

Njovens v. State 1973 SC p. 11

Onuchukwu v. State 1998 4 SCNJ P.36

The defence of alibi is worthless. This issue is resolved against the appellant.

2. WHETHER PW1, PW2, PW3 AND PW6 ARE TAINTED WITNESSES.

Learned counsel for the appellant observed that the learned trial judge ought to have treated evidence of PW1 and PW2 with a high degree of circumspect, because they declared their unhappiness with Itoduma people, contending that they are tainted witnesses. He submitted that evidence of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 demonstrated a complete lack of truthfulness and reliance on it by both courts below occasioned a gross miscarriage of justice to the appellant. Reliance was placed on Mbenu & anor v. State 1988 3 NWLR pt.84 p.615.

He urged this court to resolve this case in favour of the appellant.

Learned counsel for the respondent observed that there was no evidence before the lower court to show that PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 had interest to serve in giving evidence against the appellant. He submitted that taking all the circumstances and facts of the case together the said witnesses cannot be regarded as tainted witnesses. Relying on Ogunlana v. State 1995 5 SCNJ p.189.

He urged on this court to resolve this issue in favour of the respondent.

On this issue this is what the Court of Appeal had to say:

“…….The appellant’s grouse in the evidence of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 just because they are relations of the deceased and so categorized as tainted witnesses account for which there should be corroboration, failing which the evidence would be disregarded cannot be supported either by law or in the usual course of human life or the evidence before the court. It is to be stated without difficulty that although the prosecution needs not call a host of witnesses on the same paint in issue and if there is a witness whose evidence will settle it one way or the other, that witness ought to be called even if that witness is a relation…… This issue is resolved in favour of the Respondent.”

A tainted witness may be an accomplice, but he is a witness who obviously has some purpose of his own to serve by given evidence. A judge should scrupulously examine such evidence and be slow in convicting without corroboration, although he may convict without corroboration depending on the circumstances.

See

Ishola v. State 1978 11 NSCC p.499

Ogunlana v. State 1995 5 NWLR pt.395 p.26

Azeez Okoro v. State 1998 14 NWLR pt.584 p.181

Orisakwe v. State 2004 12 NWLR pt. 887 p. 258

PW1 and PW2 are children/close relations of the deceased. PW3 and PW5 work on the deceased’s farm. PW2 is a tractor driver, he also works on the farm for the appellant. PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 are not tainted witnesses as it was not shown that their testimony which they gave, they had some purpose of their own to serve. The fact that PW1 and PW2 were related to the deceased does not mean that they were not competent to testify for the prosecution. It was not shown that they were biased.

Their evidence together with the evidence of PW3 and PW6 were those of truthful eyewitnesses. There was thus no miscarriage of justice. A claim that evidence of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW5 was untruthful can only be sustained after cross-examination. After cross-examination their testimony was unshaken. They, to my mind had no interest whatsoever to serve. They told the truth as regards what they saw on 29/11/98. They are not tainted witnesses.

3. IDENTIFICATION OF THE APPELLANT

Learned counsel for the appellant observed that the identity of the appellant is in doubt notwithstanding that evidence of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 fixed appellant at scene of the crime. He submitted that failure to call Madam Ramatu Bamayi, the wife of the deceased who was also beaten up on the day in question, Chief John Okolo, and at least a neighbour of the deceased to corroborate the evidence of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 was fatal to the prosecution’s case. Relying on Anyanwu v. State 1986 5 NWLR pt.43 p.612. He submitted that for the identification of the appellant to be of any weight it should be supported by some other facts. He urged on us to resolve this ground as a fundamental basis for allowing this appeal.

Learned counsel for the respondent observed that PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 knew the appellant very well before the incident. He submitted that in the face of overwhelming evidence the learned counsel for the appellant’s argument on this issue is misconceived. He urged that this issue be resolved in favour of the respondent.

It is also the case of the appellant that this is a case of mistaken identity as all the while he was identified as Emmanuel Nnoloka and not his correct name Emmanuel Egwemi. His case is that the wrong person stood trial and was convicted. Before I address this issue on identity I must say straightaway that an identification parade becomes necessary if there is grave doubt as to who committed the offence. In this case there is no need for an identification parade.

On this issue the Court of Appeal said:

“……..Indeed the findings and conclusions of the learned trial judge are borne out from the evidence of these witnesses PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 whose identification and versions of what they saw flowed naturally from the events as narrated and so I see no reason to deviate from the stand of the learned trial judge. Also not impressive is the attempt by the appellant to say the person to be arrested was Emmanuel Nnaloka different from himself Emmanuel Egwemi. There is however enough in evidence and finding of the trial judge upon which it is safe to say Emmanuel Nnaloka and Emmanuel Egwemi are one and the same. The two names used together in the past or separately……….”

I agree with the above reasoning. During the course of investigation PW5 Gbenileke Agoi, a crime detective discovered that the appellant was also called Emmanuel Nnaloka. He said on oath. (See page 29 of the Record of Appeal)

“………….with all the investigation I conducted I was able to discover that the accused person is the bearer of “Nnaloka” the name specified on the bench warrant issued at Idoh High Court. I was able to discover that denying this name was an avenue for his escape…”

PW5 was not cross-examined on this material fact. That is whether it is true that the appellant is also Emmanuel Nnaloka. It must be elementary now that when a witness testifies on a material fact in controversy (in this case whether the appellant is also called Nnaloka) the appellant who denies it should cross-examine the witness to show the contrary.

Where this is not done the court would be of liberty to take his silence as acceptance that he does not dispute the fact in the absence of cross-examination.

I am satisfied that Emmanuel Nnaloka and Emmanuel Egwemi are one and the same person, the appellant, furthermore PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6 are eyewitnesses. They knew the appellant before the incident. They gave clear compelling evidence of the role played by the appellant in the murder of the deceased. PW6 actually saw the appellant sliced the throat of the deceased and made away with the head. In the light of overwhelming evidence the identity of the appellant was never in doubt. He was correctly identified as one of the mob who killed Alhaji Umoru Bamayi on 29/11/98.

4. JURISDICTION

Learned counsel for the appellant observed that the learned trial judge presided over Suit No: ID/26A/97 between Chief John Okolo and U. Ubaje and so had knowledge of the facts of the land dispute that led to the killing of the deceased. He argued that the learned trial judge ought to have declined jurisdiction on the ground of bias. Reliance was placed on Oyedeji v. Akinyele 2001 FWLR pt. 77 p.790. He urged this court to hold that the learned trial judge wrongly assumed jurisdiction to entertain the charge/s.

Responding learned counsel for the respondent observed that the learned trial judge sat over a land matter involving nominal parties to this criminal charge/s and decided in favour of the complainant is not borne out by the Records. He observed that DW2 testified that a land dispute was decided by Grade 1 Area Court Idah (Suit No. CV/292/82.) He submitted that the issue is spurious, speculative and frivolous, contending that bias has not been proved. He urged this court to resolve this issue in favour of the respondent.

Jurisdiction can be raised at any stage of proceedings and in any court even in the Supreme Court for the first time. See Usman Dan Fodio University V. Kraus Thompson Organisation Ltd. 2001 15 NWLR pt. 736 p. 305.

In Madukolu & ors v. Nkemdilim 1962 2 NSCC p.374 some observations on jurisdiction and the competence of a court were made by the Supreme Court. The court said that:

A court is competent when.

1. it is properly constituted as regards members and qualifications of the members of the bench, and no member is disqualified for one reason or another; and
2. the subject matter of the case is within its jurisdiction and there is no feature in the case which prevents the court from exercising its jurisdiction; and
3. the case comes before the court initiated by due process of law, and upon fulfillment of any condition precedent to the exercise of jurisdiction.

Bias means anything which tends or may be regarded as tending to cause a judge to decide a case otherwise than on the evidence. See Jowitt’s Dictionary of English Law 2nd Edition

Nwokoro v. Onuma 1990 3 NWLR pt. 136 p. 22

Azuokwu v. Nwokanma 2005 11 NWLR pt.937 p.537

Where a judge is accused of bias or there is an allegation of bias the judge is expected to disqualify himself from hearing the case. This would fall with (1) above.

Apart from the briefs of counsel judges of appeal are to restrict themselves only to the Record of Appeal. Nowhere in the Record of Appeal can it be seen that the learned trial judge in this case presided over a land matter involving the parties. In the absence of such a finding an allegations that the learned trial judge was biased is speculative in the extreme and clearly unfounded. The issue of bias crumbles like a park of cards.

4. MATERIAL CONTRADICTIONS IN THE PROSECUTION CASE AND PROOF BEYOND RESASONABLE DOUBT.

Learned counsel for the appellant observed that the Court of Appeal erred in law in upholding the judgment of the trial court convicting the appellant despite the seeming irreconcilable and inconsistent evidence of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW6. Reliance was placed on Obidike v. State (2001) 7 NWLR Pt.743 p.601; Ahmed v. State 2001 8 NWLR (Pt.746) p.622

Responding learned counsel for the respondent submitted that the so-called contradictions are not material. Reliance was placed on Esangbedo v. State 1989 7 SCNJ p.1

Agbo v. State 2006 6 NWLR Pt.977 p.545

Dealing with the issue of contradictions Peter-Odili JCA (as she then was) said:

“………the learned trial judge had found that PW1 and PW2 were or variance in their account of the place they went to hide as one called it BUSH and the other called it FOREST. Clearly this is an area of semantics and cannot be said to be a material difference since in the normal cause of grammatical usage persons have been known to ascribe bush to a forest and vice versa. Also as the trial judge found not to be material in the evidence is the differences in the account as to the place of birth of PW1. I am of the same mind as the trial judge in his attitude to these differences which are in my view minor and not sufficient to either render the witnesses unreliable or their evidence of such as would create the doubt that would make it be said that the prosecution failed to prove its case in a criminal trial beyond reasonable doubt. It is in the light that I find this issue in favour of the respondent….”

And with the above reasoning the Court of Appeal found that there were no contradictions in the prosecution’s case worth considering.

Now, a piece of evidence contradicts another when it affirms the opposite of what that other evidence has stated, not when there is just a minor discrepancy between them. Two pieces of evidence contradicts one another when they are by themselves in-consistent. A discrepancy may occur when a piece of evidence stops short of or contains a little more than, what the other evidence says or contains some differences in details. See Gabriel v. State 1989 5 NWLR pt.122 p.460.

When two or more person are called as witnesses to say what they saw on a particular day there are bound to be discrepancies in their testimonies. The court is only concerned with testimony on material facts and not on peripherals that have no bearing on the substance in issue.

The material facts in this case are:

1. When was Alhaji Umoru Bomoyi killed.
2. How was he killed.
3. Who killed him.

It is only if there are contradictions in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses on the above that grave doubt would be cast on the prosecution’s case.

PW1 and PW2 ran into the bush beside the deceased’s house on 29/1/98 when they saw a well armed mob approaching the deceased’s house. The appellant was one of those who made up the mob. The deceased was badly beaten up, shot and taken away on a stretcher with his hands tied. PW3 who of the time was in the compound beside the deceased’s house saw the horrific attack. His testimony corroborated the testimony of PW1 and PW2. The deceased was taken to a nearby river where PW6 saw the mob submerge the deceased into the river with a view to drown him. He was brought up out of the river. The appellant proceeded to cut off his head and ran away with it. I fail to see any contradiction in the evidence of PW1, PW2 and PW3, on how the deceased was beaten up on 29/11/98. The evidence of PW5 on how the deceased was killed is on its own and it is true.

In Joseph v. State 2011 16 NWLR pt.1273 p.226

I explained the mandatory requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt as provided by section 138 (1) of the Evidence Act thus:

“Proof beyond reasonable doubt does not mean proof beyond all doubt, or all shadow of doubt it means the prosecution establishing the guilt of the accused person with compelling and conclusive evidence. It means a degree of compulsion which is consistent with a high degree of probability. Proof beyond reasonable doubt is not achieved by the prosecution calling several witnesses to testify. The court is only interested in the testimony of a quality witness, so long as the charge is not one that needs corroborations.”

There were no contradictions in the prosecution’s case worth considering. Consequently the case of the prosecution (respondent) is indeed unassailable. Proof beyond reasonable doubt was easily attained. Both courts below were correct to so find.

The facts of this case brings into focus the long settled position of the law that where two or more persons form a common intention to kill another person and in furtherance of that intention one or more of them struck the victim with a matchet from which death results, each one of them is guilty of murder punishable with death and its does not matter who actually struck the deadly blow.

A diligent review of the Record of Appeal reveals to my satisfaction that the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming that of the trial court is unassailable. Before this court now are concurrent findings of a trial court and the Court of Appeal on issues of fact properly considered by these two courts The Supreme Court will not upset concurrent findings of fact of the two lower courts except in exceptional cases such as:

(a) Where the findings of fact are erroneous or perverse and not based on the evidence led.

(b) Where violation of some principle of law or procedure exists.

(c) Where there is miscarriage of justice. See

Ogbu v. State 1992 8 NWLR pt.259 p.255

Ogba v. State 1992 2 NWLR Pt.222 p.164

Igago v. State 1999 14 NWLR PT.637 P.1

Dakolo v. Dakolo 2011 46 NSCQR p.669.

The findings of the trial judge affirmed by the Court of Appeal in the penultimate paragraph of the judgment reads:

The accused person set out along with others whose names appear in evidence on a mission ostensibly to annihilate and wipe out Umoru Bamayi from the surface of the earth. And so they marched to his house and caught him off guard. They beat him to a state of pulp. That was of Okumaji……… He was taken away in a must humiliating manner his hands were tied behind his back. He was taken to the riverside where Umoru Bamayi life was snuffed out of him…”

These facts are not perverse. They are based on the evidence before the court. Concurrent findings of the courts below would in the circumstances not be upset by this court.

This appeal is dismally devoid of merit. I dismiss it.

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SC.453/2010