THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF DEMEANOR OF WITNESSES IN JUDGMENT OUTCOME IN THE NIGERIAN COURTS

Abstract

Demeanor in the context of this paper is an individual’s displayed behavior while testifying under oath before a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria. The problem of this work is that both witnesses and counsels representing them do not know the extent the witnesses’ outward behavior or bearing such as his/her mannerism, confidence, attitude, appearance, looks, respect, composure, seriousness e.t.c can affect the judgment of courts in Nigeria. The finding of this work is that the demeanor of witnesses as they testify in the courts in Nigeria affects the judges believing or not believing whether the witness is telling the court the truth or not and therefore weighs on the mind of the court during judgment. Doctrinal method was employed in the research. It is recommended that more be done in this area especially on the psychological factors that influence the demeanor of witnesses.