Necessity of Identification Parade Where Victim Identifies the Accused Person

In a recent legal case reported by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the matter of necessity of an identification parade where the victim identifies the accused person was discussed. The Appellant, Olumide Famotua, was tried for attempted murder, armed robbery, and murder of Akinrisola Cyril and Mrs Akintola Modupeola. The trial court convicted the Appellant for attempted murder, armed robbery, and murder, sentencing him to twenty-year imprisonment for attempted murder and death for armed robbery.

The Appellant unsuccessfully appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal and then to the Supreme Court.

The central issue for determination was whether the trial court and lower court properly evaluated the evidence and concluded that the Appellant was guilty of the allegations in the four counts of the Information. The Appellant argued that there was no eyewitness account of the events, no witnesses were called, and the Appellant's belongings were not seen at the scene.

He also questioned the credibility of the prosecution's evidence and the trial court's decision. The Respondent argued that the prosecution had proved their case beyond reasonable doubt, and that the Appellant's claims were unfounded and unsupported by credible evidence. The Supreme Court ultimately decided the case based on the arguments presented by both sides.