Conviction of an Accused Person on a Retracted Confessional Statement
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 12th day of December, 2025 Before their Lordships John Inyang Okoro Adamu Jauro Jummai Hannatu Sankey Stephen Jonah
The Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that the Appellant's conviction on a retracted confessional statement was valid. The Appellant and two others were accused of murdering and setting ablaze Monday Matthew and Owoidoho Matthew in 2009. The Appellant was found guilty and sentenced to death. The Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's decision.
The Appellant appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the Court of Appeal erred in not considering his objection to the competence of the retracted statement and that the conviction was based solely on the retracted statement. The Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal had to consider all fundamental and material issues and found that the Court of Appeal had, in fact, pronounced on the Appellant's objection to the issues for determination.
The Court also upheld the conviction based on the retracted statement, stating that it was proper and conducted a trial-within-trial to assess the statement's voluntary nature.
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