Disable Preloader

CaseLaw

Kajawa V. State (2018) CLR 3(u) (SC)

Judgement delivered on 9th of March, 2018

Brief

  • Recalling of witnesses
  • Issues for determination
  • Section 200 of the Criminal Procedure Law of Lagos State, 2003
  • Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code of Lagos State
  • Section 289 of the Criminal Procedure Law 2003
  • Loss of profit and general damages
  • Double compensation
  • Terms of a contract

Facts

The Appellant herein was arraigned before the Lagos State High Court on the 31st January, 2005 charged with murder of one Mohammed Heshimu under Section 319(1) of the Criminal Code of Lagos State. In order to prove its case, the prosecution called two witnesses and tendered the extra-judicial statement of the appellant, the post mortem report and the picture of the corpse of the deceased which were admitted in evidence and marked Exhibits A, B and C respectively. On the 2nd of April, 2005 Learned Counsel for the Respondent did inform the Court that the Baretta Riffle used by the Appellant on the day of the incident was with a ballistician at C.I.D. Alagbon close for examination and report. Learned Counsel further informed the Court that the ballistic report was not available. At this point, Learned Counsel applied to recall PW1 to tender the rifle at the next date of adjournment.

On the 22nd June, 2006, Learned Counsel for the Respondent gave notice of the prosecution's desire to call PW1 through whom the gun will be tendered in the following words:

"We are unable to produce the PW1 who we want to recall to come and tender the gun used in killing the deceased. We are not objecting to the Defendant opening their case."

Learned Counsel then made a no case submission on behalf of the Appellant which was overruled on the 28th December, 2006. Thereafter the Appellant testified in his defence and called no further witness. At the close of the Appellant's case, Learned Counsel for the Respondent reminded the Court about his wish to recall PW1 to tender the ballistic report and thereafter applied to reopen the prosecution's case to accommodate the evidence in respect of the ballistician's report.On 29th March, 1981, K.R. wrote a letter to "K" Line through its agent,. The Nigeria National Shipping Line, informing it about the non-delivery of the 67 cartons containing 10,000 clutch cables. The letter (Exhibit E) was copied the 2nd defendant/respondent - the Alraine (Nig.) Ltd. I will call it Alraine. Both the National Shipping Line and Alraine replied by Exhibits G and F respectively. Following the receipt of Exhibit G,K.R. submitted its claim as in Exhibit H and H1 but it was not paid.

Learned Counsel for the Appellant raised objection to the application to reopen the prosecution's case. After hearing both parties on the application to reopen the prosecution's case, the learned trial Judge, Nwako J., in a reserved and considered ruling granted the application in which he allowed the prosecution to call the ballistician as witness in order to tender in evidence the gun and the ballistician report. It is against this interlocutory ruling that the appellant appealed to the Court of appeal. In a reserved and considered judgment delivered on the 12th June, 2012, the lower Court, Coram Akaahs, Okoro and Bage JJCA (as they all were) found the appeal lacking in merit and dismissed same.

The Appellant is dissatisfied with the decision of the lower Court. Being aggrieved, he has brought this appeal.

Issues

  • 1.
    Whether in the circumstances of this case, the lower Court was correct in...
    Read More