REPUBLIC VRS FROKO (B6/08/2024) [2023] GHACC 1152 (12 December 2023)

REPUBLIC VRS FROKO (B6/08/2024) [2023] GHACC 1152 (12 December 2023)

The investigative caution statement was not obtained in the presence of a qualified independent witness as required by law, rendering it inadmissible. Without this evidence, the prosecution failed to prove the offence of defilement beyond reasonable doubt, necessitating the acquittal of the accused.

Citation
[2023] GHACC 1152
Parties
Prosecution: The Republic; Accused: Abdul Ganiyu Froko
Court
Circuit Court
Jurisdiction
Ghana
Judgment Date
12 December 2023
Case Number
B6/08/2024
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Judgment
Outcome
acquittal
Legal Topics
Defilement, Admissibility of Confession Statements, Independent Witness, Evidence Law
Source Language
English

Case Brief

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Parties

The Republic

Prosecution

Abdul Ganiyu Froko

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the investigative caution statement was properly procured and admissible as evidence
  2. 2 Whether the prosecution proved the offence of defilement beyond reasonable doubt

Ratio Decidendi

The investigative caution statement was not obtained in the presence of a qualified independent witness as required by law, rendering it inadmissible. Without this evidence, the prosecution failed to prove the offence of defilement beyond reasonable doubt, necessitating the acquittal of the accused.

Court Disposition

acquittal

Orders

  • Exhibit 'A' (the investigative caution statement) is expunged from the record as inadmissible.
  • The accused is acquitted and discharged.