Law Of Evidence I

1. Define Evidence and explain its nature.
2. Explain the classification, sources, and application of Nigerian Law of Evidence.
3. Examine the nature of relevancy and res gestae.
4. Analyse presumption, admission, and judicial notice.
5. Apply the rules of evidence in practical scenarios.
6. Differentiate between various types of evidence.

13 weeks, about 46 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module I: General Introduction

   • Unit 1: Law of Evidence and Applicability · 2 hours

     Define 'Evidence' from legal and layman perspectives.. Explain the concept of the Law of Evidence.. Identify courts that apply the Law of Evidence..

   • Unit 2: Relevant Concepts in the Law of Evidence · 2 hours

     Explain processes of establishing rights and duties.. Discuss 'fact' and 'legal rights' in Law of Evidence.. Differentiate between 'Fact in Issue', 'Proved Facts', 'Disproved Facts', and 'Facts not proved'..

2. Week 2Module I: General Introduction

   • Unit 3: Judicial Evidence · 3 hours

     Define 'Judicial Evidence'.. Identify and discuss main items of Judicial Evidence: Fact, Fact in Issue, Hearsay, Testimony, Thing.. Discuss the classification of Judicial Evidence: Oral, Real, Documentary, Electronic..

3. Week 3Module 2: Sources of Laws of Evidence

   • Unit 1: Scope of the Law of evidence · 3 hours

     Identify the coverage area of the law of evidence in relation to its classification.. Discuss historical development of the Law of Evidence.. Explain the theories of Sources of Law: Consensus, Conflict, Middle-of-the-Road..

4. Week 4Module 2: Sources of Laws of Evidence

   • Unit 2: Origin of the Law of Evidence · 3 hours

     Discuss the legal origin of the Nigerian law of Evidence.. Trace the origin of the law of evidence in Nigeria from pre-colonial to post-colonial eras.. Examine the impact of English law on the Nigerian legal system..

5. Week 5Module 2: Sources of Laws of Evidence

   • Unit 3: Other Legal Origin of the Law of Evidence · 3 hours

     Discuss the body vested with power to make laws on matters relating to rules of Evidence under the 1999 Constitution.. Explain the Nigeria Constitution as a Source of Law of Evidence.. Discuss the extent to which the Law of Evidence is alien or home grown..

6. Week 6Module 3: Types of Evidence

   • Unit 1: Classification of Law of Evidence · 3 hours

     Identify the major classification of the Law of Evidence.. Understand how the different classes or types of Evidence are made applicable in any judicial proceeding.. Differentiate between Direct, Circumstantial, Primary, Secondary, Hearsay, Oral, Documentary, Real Evidence..

7. Week 7Module 3: Types of Evidence

   • Unit 2: Direct and Circumstances Evidence · 3 hours

     Explain the term 'direct' in relation to Evidence.. Identify direct evidence as it occurs.. Differentiate between direct evidence and circumstantial evidence..

8. Week 8Module 3: Types of Evidence

   • Unit 3: Primary and Secondary Evidence · 3 hours

     Explain what constitutes Primary Evidence and Secondary Evidence.. Justify the statement that the Best Evidence Rule is not applicable in Nigeria.. Apply the rules relating to admissibility of primary and secondary evidence..

9. Week 9Module 3: Types of Evidence

   • Unit 4: Documentary Evidence · 3 hours

     Discuss the concept of documentary evidence vis-à-vis the ways in which it can be made applicable in legal practice.. Explain the meaning of 'Document' under the Evidence Act.. Differentiate between Public and Private Documents..

10. Week 10Module 4: Proof of Facts

    • Unit 1: Relevant Facts · 3 hours

      Understand the meaning, operations, distinctions and applicability of: Fact, Fact in issue, Fact relevant to fact in issue.. Identify Relevant Facts and classes or types irrelevant fact.. Apply the rules relating to admissibility of relevant and irrelevant facts..

11. Week 11Module 4: Proof of Facts

    • Unit 2: Res Gestae · 3 hours

      Understand the principle of 'res gestae' or 'res gestae' both under the common law and the present law of evidence.. Explain the criteria for admitting res gestae in Evidence: Contemporaneity, Explains fact in Issue, Made by the actor.. Apply the principle of res gestae in actual legal practice by judicial authorities..

12. Week 12Module 4: Proof of Facts

    • Unit 3: Complaints · 3 hours

      Explain the term 'complaint'.. Examine and illustrate the criteria for admissibility of evidence of complaint.. Apply the rules relating to admissibility of complaint in sexual offences..

13. Week 13Module 5:

    • Unit 1: Presumptions · 3 hours

      Explain what is meant by 'Presumption'.. Explain the classes and forms of Presumption.. Distinguish between Presumption of Law and of Facts..

    • Unit 2: judicial notice · 3 hours

      Define the term judicial notice.. Identify what the court would judicially notice.. Identify what the court has declined to take judicial notice of..

    • Unit 3: Admissions · 3 hours

      Define admission.. Identify when admissions may be admissible in evidence.. Gain an awareness of judicial attitude towards admissions..