A Refreshing Perspective on the Means of Proof of Contents of Public Documents under the Nigerian Law

The use of credible and admissible evidence, oral or documentary, in proof of a fact in question in any judicial proceeding, is a sine quo non to the success of a case. In the case of documentary evidence, whether private or public, the law requires that same is preferably proved by producing the primary evidence and, in its absence, secondary evidence of varying kinds. With respect to a public document, the means of proving same is, nonetheless, un changed save however, that its exclusive secondary means of proof is by producing a certified true copy thereof. This paper attempts to examine the concept of public documents as a means of proving facts in evidence, its underlining principles and other prevailing trends, including misconceptions, amidst legal authors, practitioners and judicial officers.