to him in English Language would not have any meaning to
him as he would not have understood same. As far as the
translator had signed the translated version, I hold that it
does not make any difference that the accused did not sign
it”.
The other issue raised by the Learned Defence Counsel on the issue of
the admissibility of Exhibit A and A1 is that the statement was recorded in the
absence of a legal practitioner or other representative of the defendant.
As stated by the prosecution counsel in his written address, this
requirement of the law is not mandatory. What is required is that the
defendant be cautioned in his Language before his statement is recorded and
this has been done as could be seen from the evidence of PW1 the IPO in this
case. PW1 Sgt. AbdulAzeez Bello stated in his evidence before this Court
as follows” I asked him to call his counsel or any other person to be present
and he said he don’t have a counsel and don’t want anyone to be present
during the recording of his statement. PW1 further stated “I first of all
administered words of caution to him in Hausa Language. I read the words of
caution to him in Hausa Language and he said he understood the words of
caution and signed the words of caution and I also counter signed as a
recorder”.
From the above it is clear that the investigation police officer had fully
complied with the requirements of the law in recording the statement of the
defendant in this case. It is therefore the view of this Court that exhibit A and
A1 were properly admitted in evidence before this Court and therefore the
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