Essentials of a valid Judgment

"...the decision of the Supreme Court in Mogaji v. Odofin (1978) 8 S.C. 91 has laid down the basic principles for trial judge to bear in mind when it comes to write judgment as follows:

1. He must decide issues in dispute between the parties.

2. He must sum-up the evidence called by each party and decide which side to believe based on the preponderance of credible evidence and the probabilities of the case.

3. He must record the logical and consequential finding of fact.

4. He must apply the law against the back ground of the finding of fact. See Adeyeye v. Ajiboye (1987) 3 NWLR (Pt.61) 432 and Duru v. Nwosu (1989) 4 NWLR (Pt. 113) 24.

"PER TSAMIYA, J.C.A in NNAMDI ASOMUGHA V. CLEMENT NWABUEZE (2011) LPELR-4630(CA)