06/09/2025
Meaning of Alibi
Alibi simply means “elsewhere.”
It is a defence raised by an accused person to show that they were not at the scene of the crime at the material time, hence they could not have committed the offence.
If successfully established, it creates a doubt in the prosecution’s case.
When Alibi Will Avail the Accused
1. The accused must raise the defence at the earliest opportunity, usually in their extra-judicial statement to the police.
2. It must be specific – giving details of where they were, with whom, and possibly facts capable of being verified.
3. Once raised, the burden shifts to the prosecution to investigate the alibi and disprove it. If the alibi is not investigated, it may create reasonable doubt.
Shehu v. State (2010) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1195) 112 – Alibi must be raised promptly and specifically.
Olatinwo v. State (2013) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1355) 126 – Once an alibi is properly raised, prosecution must investigate.
Eyisi v. State (2000) 15 NWLR (Pt. 691) 555 – Court must evaluate whether alibi was raised and disproved.
Aliyu v. State (2013) NWLR (Pt. 1368) 403 – Where the accused is positively identified at the scene, alibi collapses.
✅ Takeaway:
The defence of alibi is a powerful shield, but it is only effective when:
raised early,
specific and verifiable, and
not contradicted by the accused’s own statements.
