The Unsettled Question on the Testimony of a Child Witness and Its Admissibility under the Nigerian Law of Evidence

Abstract

This paper addresses the unsettled questions and agitations surrounding the procedure for the reception or otherwise of the admissibility of the testimony of a child witness under the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Evidence Act[1]. There are however discordant voices and opinions concerning the right interpretation of this aspect of evidence relating to the testimony of a child witness. The objective of this paper is inter alia to examine some of the case laws on the point and to proffer suggestions as to what may be considered the correct approach and interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Evidence Act on the testimony of a child witness thereby resolving the unsettled question on the testimony of a child witness and its admissibility in judicial proceedings.

[1] No. 18 2011 as amended which repealed the Evidence Act cap. E 14, laws of the federation of Nigeria.