12. EVIDENCE - CORROBORATION/CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE: Nature of evidence required as
corroboration for the offence of rape
"It must be pointed out that the corroboration required in rape needs not be direct evidence that the
accused committed the offence. It is sufficient if it corroborates in material respect the evidence of the
prosecutrix. It is any evidence which tends to show that the story of the prosecutrix (victim) is true that
the accused committed the crime. See EZIGBO VS THE STATE (Supra). The corroborative evidence, it
must also be emphasized is sufficient even if it is circumstantial in nature so long as it connects or tends
to connect the accused to the commission of the offence. See DURUGO VS THE STATE (1992) NWLR (PT.
255 525; OGUNBAYO VS THE STATE (2007) LPELR-2323 (SC)." Per WAMBAI, J.C.A. (Pp. 16-17, Paras. E-B)
(...read in context)
13. EVIDENCE - DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE: Effect of an unsigned document
"An unsigned document as rightly submitted by the Appellant's Counsel is a worthless document;
worthless is it that it commands no value in legal proceedings. It has no efficacy. An unsigned document
is inadmissible in law and if wrongly admitted should be discountenanced because it is like no document
at all. It cannot be reckoned with in deciding the fact in issue which the document purports to prove.
See OMEGA BANK (NIG) PLC VS O.B.C. LTD (Supra) and ANYAOHA VS OBIAHA (Supra)." Per WAMBAI,
J.C.A. (Pp. 17-18, Paras. F-B) (...read in context)
14. APPEAL - FORMULATION OF ISSUE(S) FOR DETERMINATION: Principles guiding formulation of issues
for determination in an appeal
"The issues formulated by the Appellant Counsel consist largely of abstract legal principles or at best
legal argument that should be canvassed in support of the appeal. An issue for determination is not the
legal argument that will be canvassed in the appeal nor bare abstract legal principles. Rather, an issue
for determination is a substantial question of law or fact or both, arising from the grounds of appeal the
determination in favour of one of the parties to the appeal, which will entitle the party to the judgment
of the Court. An issue for determination should be a proposition of law or fact so cogent, weighty and
compelling that a decision on it in favour of a party to the appeal will entitle him to the judgment of the