prosecution. Relying on EMEKA V. STATE (2001) FWLR (PT.
66) P. 682, Counsel submitted that in criminal trial, the guilt of
an accused person can be established by (a) confessional
statement, (b) circumstantial evidence, (c) evidence of eye
witness. He submitted that the prosecution in this case has not
succeeded in pinning the 4th and 5th Defendants in any of the
aforementioned ways. He further contended that the evidence of
Mr. Ebikabowei Victor Ben and Mrs. Sonia Victor are very vital to
the case of the prosecution and the inability to call either of them
is fatal to the prosecution’s case. He relied on JOSHUA V. STATE
(2009) ALL FWLR PT. 475 P. 1626. He urged this Court to
discharge and acquit the 4th and 5th Defendants on the 2-count
charge against them, the prosecution having failed to establish
their case beyond reasonable doubt.
On the sole issue formulated by the learned prosecuting Counsel,
she submitted that from the totality of the evidence adduced at
trial, the prosecution has proved the ingredients of the offence as
contained in the charge against the Defendants beyond
reasonable doubt. She relied on the provisions of Section 135 of
the Evidence Act 2011. She submitted that where all the essential
ingredients of the offences charged have been proved or
established by the Prosecution the charge is proved beyond
reasonable doubt. She relied on the case of NWATURUOCHA V.
STATE (2011) 6 NWLR PT. 1242 P. 170. On Count 1 of the
amended charge which is on the offence of conspiracy, the
learned prosecution contended that this offence is one which can
be predicated on circumstantial evidence i.e. based on inference.
She submitted that the offence of conspiracy is committed where
there is an agreement by two or more persons to do or cause to
do an illegal act or legal act by illegal means. Counsel listed the
ingredients which the prosecution must prove to establish the
offence of conspiracy and submitted that there is abundant
evidence before this Court to infer conspiracy between the 1st, 2nd
and 3rd Defendants. She referred this Court to the statements of
the Defendants admitted in evidence and contended that there
was an agreement between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants to
commit an illegal act to wit; defraud the nominal complainant.
9