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LORD DENNING’S COMMENT ON REASONABLE DOUBT – ‘FANCIFUL POSSIBILITIES’

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Denning , J., (as he then was) stated in Miller v. Minister of Pensions (1947) 2 All ER 372, 373: “does not mean proof beyond the shadow of doubt. The law would fail to protect the community if it admitted of fanciful possibilities to defect the course of justice. If the evidence is so strong against a man as to leave only a remote possibility in his favour which can be dismissed with the sentence ‘of course it is possible, but not in the least probable’ the case is proved beyond reasonable doubt but nothing short of that will suffice.”

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reasonable doubt

WHAT REASONABLE DOUBT MEANS IN CRIMINAL TRIAL

The term “Reasonable doubt” has not been defined in the definitions Section 2 of the Act, but its connotation has received many definitions from judicial authorities. For instance, the very famous and erudite Denning, J (later M.R.) in the case of MILLER V. MINISTER OF PENSIONS (1947) 2 ALL E.R. 372 said that- “It need...

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WHEN HAS THE PROSECUTION PROVED ITS CASE BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT

In Mbam v. State (2026) 13 NWLR (Pt. 2057) 373 per Okoro JSC, ‘However, before it can be rightly said that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, every ingredient which constitutes the totality of the offence charged must be established. See Okon v. State (2025) 10 NWLR (Pt. 1996) 213; Kolawole v....

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PROOF BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT DENOTES PROOF TO MORAL CERTAINTY

Invariably, the term proof beyond reasonably as implored in Section 135 of the Evidence Act, denotes proof to moral certainty or standard. Thus, such proof as accords to the conscience of the trial judge as a reasonable Judge, that the crime so charged has indeed been committed by the defendant, thereby leaving no other reasonable...

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AN OFFENCE MUST BE PROVED BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT

A fortiori, by virtue of Section 138(1) of the Evidence Act, if the commission of an offence by a party is directly in issue in any criminal or civil proceeding, it must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. – Saulawa, JSC. Makanjuola v. State (2021) Was this dictum helpful? Yes 0 No 0...

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EXPLANATION OF PROOF BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT

Lord Denning explained proof beyond reasonable doubt in Miller v Minister of Pensions (1947) 2 ALL ER p.372 and this explanation was adopted by this Court in Lori & Anor v State (1979-1981) 12 NSC p.269 and in innumerable decisions of this Court. His Lordship said: “Proof beyond reasonable doubt does not mean proof beyond...

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RESOLVE DOUBT IN ACCUSED FAVOUR

There is no doubt whatsoever that from the conflicting evidence adduced by the prosecution as to how the deceased was killed, strong doubt had been raised from the evidence which the law requires to be resolved in favour of the appellant. — M. Mohammed, JSC. Udosen v State (2007) – SC.199/2005 Was this dictum helpful?...

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