Maikidi Aliyu Vs The State (2013)

LAWGLOBAL HUB Lead Judgment Report

JOHN AFOLABI FABIYI, J.S.C.

This is an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division (the court below) delivered on 14th July, 2006. Therein, the conviction and sentence of the appellant to death by hanging based on a charge of culpable homicide punishable under section 221 of the Penal Code by the trial judge of Katsina State High Court of Justice on 19th May, 1997, was affirmed.

It is apt to state briefly the relevant facts, which form the bed-rock of this appeal. By a charge dated 5th day of December, 1994, the respondent arraigned the appellant before the trial High Court of Katsina State presided over by Yusuf Ibrahim, J. for the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death under section 221 of the Penal Code on 4th July, 1995. The charge was duly read and explained to the appellant and he accordingly pleaded not guilty.

The facts as given by the prosecution are that the appellant, on or about 11th May, 1993 at about 5.30am, caused the death of one Junaidu Bala at Ingawa, Inagawa Local Government Area of Katsina State by stabbing him on the neck with a knife and caused him bodily injury which resulted in the passing on, of the deceased. At about 5.30 am on the stated date, the deceased in company of P.W.1 and P.W.2 and some others were on night patrol as members of a vigilante group. They confronted the appellant who, P.W.1 had earlier seen with some loads on his head but he disappeared. He was rearrested but as he was being taken to the Police Station, somewhere in a market place, the appellant dropped the loads he had on him down and ran away. P.W.1 pursued him and later apprehended him. During a struggle, the appellant brought out a knife and as he was cutting P.W.1, the deceased joined to rescue him despite warning by P.W.1 to deceased that the appellant had a knife. The appellant later used the knife to cut the deceased on his neck and he died immediately while the appellant ran away. The matter was reported to the police who later arrested him on 12th May, 1993 at Bindawa town, based on the information earlier supplied.

At the trial High Court, both sides adduced evidence.

The trial judge was duly addressed by counsel on relevant issues. In the judgment delivered on 19th May, 1997, the appellant was found guilty. He was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. The appellant felt unhappy with the stance of the trial court. He appealed to the court below which heard the appeal and dismissed it on 14th July, 2006. Still dissatisfied with the decision of the court below, the appellant has finally appealed to this court.

In compliance with the Rules of this court, briefs of argument were filed and exchanged by the parties. On 21st March, 2013 when the appeal was heard, learned counsel to the appellant adopted the brief of argument deemed filed on 18th April, 2012 and urged that the appeal be allowed. On behalf of the respondent, learned DPP, Katsina State Ministry of Justice adopted the respondent’s brief and urged that the appeal be dismissed.

On behalf of the appellant, two (2) issues were formulated for determination of the appeal. They read as follows:-

“(i) Considering the state of evidence before it, whether the lower court was not wrong in resolving the issue (or defence) of alibi against the appellant.

Grounds 4 and 5.

(ii) Having regard to the manner in which the identification parade was conducted in this case, whether or not the lower court was right upholding the conviction and sentencing of the appellant by the trial court based on the evidence procured therefrom. Grounds 2 and 3.”

The respondent adopted the two issues decoded for determination by the appellant and replied to same seriatim.

Arguing issue 1 which relates to the plea of alibi, learned counsel to the appellant submitted that the issue of alibi which was raised timeously was not properly evaluated by the courts below. He felt that the whereabouts of the appellant on the 11th of May, 1993 up to 4.00am was properly accounted for by defence witnesses. He felt that the burden of proof is not on the accused and that the onus of proof is on the persecution to disprove the alibi. He cited the cases of Ifejirika v. The State (1999) 3 NWLR (Pt.593) 59 at 78; Aiguoreghian v. The State (2004) All FWLR (Pt.195) 716 at 737; Ozaki v. The state (1990) 1 NWLR (Pt.124) 92 at 109 and Onafowokan v. The State (1997) 3 NWLR (Pt.61) 538.

Learned counsel maintained that the prosecution failed to fully investigate the plea of alibi raised by the appellant. He submitted that the appellant was entitled to an order of acquittal.

On behalf of the respondent, learned DPP submitted that contrary to the appellant’s contention, the courts below properly evaluated the plea of alibi raised by the appellant. She submitted that the appellant did not supply to the Police full particulars, time and place of his whereabouts to enable the Police investigate and find out the truth or otherwise of the said alibi. She opined that for a defence of alibi to be worthy of investigation, it should be precise and specific in terms of the place that the accused was, the particular person or persons that he was in his company and possibly what he was doing at the material time. She cited the case of Ochemaje v. The State (2008) 15 NWLR (Pt.109) 57 at page 90.

Learned DPP maintained that the appellant failed to identify the evidence that was not properly evaluated. She referred to Nkebisi v. The State (2010) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1188) 471 at 492. She asserted further that the issue of alibi is based on credibility. She felt that once the evidence called by the accused person in support of the defence is rejected as being incredible and the evidence of the prosecution witnesses fixing the accused at the scene of crime is accepted, the defence of alibi crumbles. She cited Omotola v. The state (2009) 7 NWLR (Pt.1139) 148 at 175; Olaiya v. The State (2010) 3 NWLR (Pt.1181) 423 at 346 and Atta v. The State (2010) 10 NWLR (Pt.1201) 190 at 216 – 217.

She urged the court to hold that the lower court was not wrong in resolving the issue of alibi against the appellant and in favour of the respondent.

Alibi, literally, means elsewhere. It is the duty of the accused to furnish the particulars of his abili in full detail to the Police at the earliest opportunity. He must furnish his whereabouts and those present with him at the material time of the incident. It is then left for the prosecution to disprove same. Failure to investigate can lead to the acquittal of the accused person. See: Queen v. Turner (1957) W.R. NLR 34; Bello v. Police (1956) SCNLR, 113; Yanor v. The State (1965) NMLR 337; Gachi v. The State (1973) 1 NMLR 331 and Odu & Anr. v. The State (2001) 5 SCNJ 115 at 120; (2001) 10 NWLR (Pt.772) 668.

It should be further reiterated that it is not every failure of the Police to investigate an alibi raised by an accused person that will be fatal to the case of the prosecution. There is nothing esoteric or extraordinary in a plea of alibi which postulates that the accused could not have been at the scene of the crime and only inferentially that he was not there. Even if it is the duty of the prosecution to check on a statement of alibi or attempt to do so, there is no inflexible and/or invariable way of doing this. If the prosecution adduces sufficient and acceptable evidence to fix the accused person at the scene of the crime at the material time, his alibi is thereby logically and physically demolished. See: Patrick Njovens & Ors. v. The State (1973) 1 NMLR 331; Ochemaje v. The State (supra) at page 78; and The State v. Ezekiel Adekunle (1989) 1 CLRN 348. It is not in doubt that in this case, the appellant raised the defence of alibi. He called DW2, DW3 and DW4 who all testified that at various times between 8.00pm on 10th May, 1993 and 2.00am on 11th May, 1993, the appellant was in their company viewing television. The appellant stayed with the night watchman for a while and later went to sleep in front of his house. DW5, one Rabe Yahaya said at about 3.30pm, he met the accused lying in front of his house. As he was sleeping, he woke him up so that he may go to the mosque, the accused stood up and went to perform his ablution. According to DW5, they went to the mosque and prayed together until about 5.00am. On the contrary, the appellant said he performed ablution and prayed in his house. He did not go to the mosque to pray. He did not mention anything like that in Exhibits B and C to the Police.

After reviewing the evidence on oath of the defence witnesses, the trial judge found as follows:-

“Therefore in view of the contradictions in the evidence of the defence witnesses and even the evidence of the accused himself, I could not say that the defence had discharged its evidential burden placed upon the accused.”

The court below, on its part, found that the learned trial judge was right in disbelieving the testimony of DW5 on the whereabouts of the appellant between 2.00 am and 5.30 am on the date in question.

It is clear from the evidence placed before the trial court and with which the court below was at one, that the appellant did not fully disclose to the Police that he was with DW5 at about 5.30am on the date of the incident to warrant and facilitate any investigation by the Police of the plea of alibi put up by him.

It should be stressed that for a defence of alibi to be worthy of investigation, it should be precise and specific in terms of the place that the accused was at the material time of the incident. The Police should not be involved in a wild goose chase for the whereabouts of the accused person at the time the crime was committed. See: Ochemaje v. The State (supra) at page 90.

It is clear that the prosecution adduced sufficient and acceptable evidence to fix the accused person at the locus criminis, at the material time, as the trial court found same in the evidence adduced by the P.W.1. The alibi was thereby logically and physically demolished. See: Patrick Njovens & Ors. v. The State (supra); Omotola v. The State (supra) at page 174; Olaiya v. The State (supra) at page 435-436; Atta v. The State (supra) at pages 216-217; and Monday Odu & Anr. v. The State (supra) at page 120; (2001) 6 SCM 153 at 156-157.

I am of the considered view that the two lower courts were right in the stance taken by them. This issue is resolved against the appellant and in favour of the respondent.

I now move to issue 2 which relates to the identification of the appellant. In this respect, learned counsel to the appellant submitted that it was not only P.W.1 who encountered the appellant. He maintained that one Wali who had ample opportunity of encountering the appellant was not called to testify. He referred to section 149(d) of the Evidence Act, Cap. E14, Laws of the Federation, 2004. He urged that the provision of the law should be invoked against the prosecution which failed to call Wali to testify. He cited the case of Okumzua v. Amosu (1992) 6 NWLR (Pt.248) 416.

In this respect, learned DPP submitted that the failure to call the said Wali did not amount to withholding evidence. She cited the case of Igri v. The State (2012) 16 NWLR (Pt.1327) 522 at Page 555.

It should be noted at this point that learned counsel for the appellant strenuously harped on the point that the prosecution failed to call one Wali as a witness. He even contented that the provision of the law should be invoked against the prosecution for failure to call Wali to testify; being a vital witness. The appellant should appreciate that it has been held variously by this court that the prosecution, in criminal cases, is not bound to call a host of witnesses. It is only obliged to call enough witnesses to adduce evidence in discharge of the onus of proof incumbent on it to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The section of the law has to do with withholding of evidence and not failure to call a particular witness. In this regard, PW.1 who was a direct victim and who had interaction with the appellant at the material time testified. That was alright. See: Akalonu v. The State (2002) 6 SCNJ 332 at 337; Ekpenyong v. The State (1991) 6 NWLR (Pt. 200) 683; Asariyu v. The State (1987) 4 NWLR (Pt.67) 709 at 716; Udo v. The State (2006) 15 NWLR (Pt.1001) 179 at 195; Oduneye v. The State (2001) 2 NWLR (Pt.2001) 2 NWLR (Pt.697) 311; Alonge v. Police (1959) SCNLR 203 and Igri v. The State (supra) at Page 555.

It should also be reiterated here that where the prosecution failed to call a particular witness considered vital, the accused is at liberty to call him. See: Ekpenyong v. The State (supra).

Learned counsel for the appellant further observed that it was only PW.1 who testified in this case of culpable homicide punishable with death. He maintained that other eye witnesses like Wali were not called.

In reply, learned DPP submitted that there is no law which precludes a judge from convicting an accused person based on the evidence of one eye witnesses. She maintained that the clear position of the law is to the effect that the evidence of a sole witness, if found truthful and believed by the court, is sufficient to ground the conviction of an accused person. She referred to the cases of Ilodigine v. The State (2012) 18 NWLR (Pt.1331) 1 at 41 and Akindipe v. The State (2012) 16 NWLR (Pt. 1325) 94 at 116.

It is now settled that in criminal trials, the prosecution is not obliged to call a host of witnesses to prove its case. A single witness, if believed by the court, can establish a criminal case even if it is a murder charge. The decisive factor is the quality of the evidence preferred at the trial in the discharge of the burden of proof on the prosecution. There should be no further illusion or misgiving in respect of this point, that has been settled by the decision of this court in Ilodigine V. The State (supra) at page 41 and Akindipe v. The State (supra) at page 116.

Learned counsel to the appellant submitted that the identification parade was done without reference to the considerations governing a proper conduct of identification parade. He referred to Okeke v. The State (1995) 4 NWLR (Pt.392) 676 at 708 and R v. Turnbull & Ors. (1976) 3 WLR 445 at 447; Sunday Ndidi v. The State (2007) All FWLR (Pt.381) 1617 at 1639-1640.

Learned counsel submitted further that it was obligatory on the part of the prosecution to establish that soon after the incident and the arrest of the appellant, he was put up for identification along with several others with similar features. He maintained that identification parade was conducted 24 weeks after the arrest of the appellant despite the availability of P.W1 nine (9) days after the arrest of the appellant. He referred to the case of Commissioner of Police v. Alao (1959) WNLR 19.

Learned counsel further observed that the appellant maintained that he shook hands with P.W.1 before the identification parade and that P.W.1 was aided by a police officer in pointing him out during the parade. Learned counsel submitted that such irregularity should be resolved in favour of the appellant. He cited Bozin v. The State (1985) NSCC 1087 at 1099; Wakala V. The State (1991) NWLR (Pt.211) 552 at 565-566; Ojukwu v. The State (2002) 4 NWLR (Pt.756) 80 at 91.

Learned counsel submitted that the trial judge should have warned himself to take special regard for caution before convicting the accused in the circumstance of this matter. He cited Alabi v. The State (1993) 7 NWLR (Pt. 307) 511 at 527. He opined that an identification parade conducted where just one witness identified the appellant ought to be corroborated. He cited Dogo v. The State (2001) 1 SCNJ 315. Learned counsel felt that this appeal ought to succeed.

On behalf of the respondent, learned DPP submitted that the conviction and sentence of the appellant by the trial court which was affirmed by the lower court was not based solely on the evidence obtained at the identification parade. She observed that the lower court felt that identification parade in this case was superfluous as P.W1 could identify the appellant anywhere and at anytime. She submitted that identification parade is not a sine qua non to conviction. She cited Ukpabi v. The State (2004) 11 NWLR (Pt. 884) 439; Sowemimo v. The State (2012) 2 NWLR (Pt.1284) 372 at 405; Atta v. The State (supra) at page 225. She maintained that the testimony of P.W1 which was cogent, convincing and compelling, linked the appellant with the offence charged.

On the issue of the Police aiding P.W.1 during identification parade, learned DPP submitted that it was not properly proved before the trial court. She observed that the lower court at page 146 of the records stated that it will be difficult to believe that P.W.1 who caught and held appellant on his trouser for a long time will need any assistance from anybody to identify the appellant. She maintained that P.W.1 had a long encounter with the appellant and same made identification parade superfluous and unnecessary.

Learned DPP went further to submit that if identification parade was necessary, the Police, as can be seen from the testimony of P.W.6 and that of P.W.7, complied with the procedure and considerations required. She opined that since P.W.1 testified, it was not necessary to tender his statement made to the police. She cited Ndidi v. The State (2005) 17 NWLR (Pt. 953) 17 at 31.

Learned DPP opined that issue of aiding P.W.1 by the Police during the identification parade was not proved by the appellant at the trial court. She observed that P.W6 and P.W7 were not cross-examined as to their conduct at the identification parade. She cited Nwobodo v. Onoh (1954) 1 SCNLR 1 at 88.

Learned DPP submitted that based on the provision of section 168(1) of the Evidence Act, there is a presumption of regularity as to the conduct of the parade more especially as P.W6, who tendered Exhibits D1, D2 and D3 was not cross-examined as to the propriety or otherwise of the conduct of the identification parade.

It should be noted right away that the conviction and sentence of the appellant by the trial court which was affirmed by the court below was not based solely on the evidence obtained at the identification parade of 19th October, 1993. The court below found that identification parade was superfluous as P.W1 who had a long encounter with the appellant during the material time could identify him anywhere and at anytime. The testimony of P.W.1 which the trial court found to be cogent and compelling linked the appellant with the offence charged. No doubt, identification parade is not a sine qua non to conviction. The decisions in the cases of Ukpabi v. The State (supra) Sowemimo v. The State (supra) and Atta v. The State (supra) clearly demonstrate the point.

On behalf of the appellant, learned counsel tried to prop the issue of the police aiding P.W.1 to identify the appellant at the identification parade. P.W6 who conducted the parade was not cross-examined on the vital point at the trial court. P.W6 tendered Exhibits D1, D2 and D3 which point to the direction that the requisite procedure for the parade was complied with. Even then, based on the provision of section 168(1) of the Evidence Act, there is a presumption of regularity of the parade more especially as p.W6 was not cross-examined over the propriety or otherwise of the conduct of the parade. This much should be stated in clear terms.

Put clearly, ordinarily, identification parade is not a sine qua non for identification in all cases where there has been a fleeting encounter with the victim of a crime if there is yet other evidence leading conclusively to the identity of the perpetrator of the offence. In this matter, the P.W.1 had a long encounter with the appellant. P.W.1 was an eye witness to the commission of the offence. He was in company of the deceased before and until the incident. He testified that in the early hours of 11th May, 1993, the appellant he had earlier arrested, cut him with a knife and stabbed the deceased on the neck. He stated how he led the appellant through the market place to the charge office before he disappeared and was re-arrested. He had a long stay with the appellant. P.W.1, during his encounter with the appellant, held his trouser for a long time. The court below per Ariwoola, JCA (as he then was) concluded as follows at page 150 of the records –

“From the narration of his testimony on oath, it is clear that the witness had full opportunity to observe the appellant closely. Even though the witness did not know the appellant before, and the first acquaintance was during the commission of the offence, yet as a result of the long period of time they spent together, it cannot be doubted that the witness would identify the accused anywhere and at anytime without any assistance. Identification parade in the circumstance became superfluous — In the result, I am satisfied that the appellant was validly identified by the witness as the person who stabbed the deceased, Junaidu.”

The above confirmed the position taken by the trial court. It is hard to fault the stance taken by the two lower courts; taking into consideration the whole gamut of the cold evidence adduced by P.W.1 which remains uncontradicted; accepted by the trial court and further confirmed by the court below.

Without further ado, this issue is resolved against the appellant and in favour of the respondent.

It is further necessary to state it that the appellant was charged for the offence of culpable homicide punishable with death under section 221 (b) of the Penal Code. The ingredients of the offence are:-

1. That the death of a human being has actually taken place;
2. That the death was caused by the accused person;
3. That the act that caused the death of the deceased was done by the accused with intention of causing death, or that the accused knew that death would be probable consequence of his act. See: Ubani & Ors. v. The State (2003) 16 NSCQR 265; Tunde Adava v. The State (2006) 9 NWLR (Pt. 984) 152.

It is not in contest that Junaidu Bala, the victim of the offence charged, is dead. The death was confirmed in Exhibit ‘A’ by P.W3 -a Medical Officer who testified that the cause of death of the deceased is because of stoppage of heart from action as a result of bleeding. It is on record that the appellant caused the death by striking the deceased with a knife on the neck at the material time on the fateful day. The appellant knew that death would be the probable consequence of his act.

In passing it should be stated that the findings made by the two courts below are concurrent in their entire ramification. They have not been shown to be perverse or run contrary to the current of evidence adduced. They are supported by credible evidence. I cannot interfere in the prevailing circumstance. See: Haruna v. Attorney General of Federation (2012) 9 NWLR (pt.1306) 448; Shorumo v. The State (2012) 12 SC (Pt.1) 73 at 96; 102; Igwe v. The State (1982) 9 SC.114.

Let me finally make the last point and I shall be done. The prosecution, no doubt, proved the case beyond reasonable doubt as dictated by section 138 (1) of the Evidence Act. See: Nasiru v. The State (1999) 1 NWLR (Pt.589) 87 at 98. All the essential ingredients of the offence charged have been clearly established. See: Abogede v. The State (1996) 5 NWLR (Pt.448) 270.

In conclusion, this appeal is devoid of merit. It is hereby dismissed. The decision of the court below which affirmed the conviction and sentence of the appellant by the trial court is hereby confirmed.

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SC.104/2011