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newspaper evidence

Q283. Will it constitute hearsay evidence where a newspaper is produced in evidence not to prove the truth of the content therein but to show factual occurrence of an event?

A newspaper tendered in evidence not for the purpose of proving the truth contained in it cannot be inadmissible on the ground that it is hearsay evidence. See INEC V. Action Congress & Ors. (2009) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1126) 524 where it was held admissible not to prove the truth contained in it but as proof of the factual occurrence of INEC Resident Commissioner’s press conference disqualifying the 2nd petitioner from the Gubernatorial Election in Adamawa State and cannot therefore be totally excluded as hearsay evidence.

Q284. Are newspaper reports admissible as evidence of fact contained in it?

No. Newspaper reports are not generally admissible as evidence of the fact recorded in it. It is an inadmissible hearsay evidence. So, except where the matter in controversy is whether or not the publication itself was made. Agbai V. INEC (2008) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1108) 417 CA