[2013] KEHC 525 (KLR)
The court found that the appellant's plea was unequivocal as he understood the charges and admitted the facts after they were read to him. However, the court exercised its discretion to quash the conviction and set aside the sentence, substituting it with a conditional discharge on each count for twelve months, on...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 525 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Abduhab Shura Mohamed; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Garissa
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 74 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- conviction quashed, sentence set aside, conditional discharge substituted, appellant to be handed to UNHCR
- Legal Topics
- Plea Taking, Refugee Rights, Unlawful Possession of Identity Card
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Abduhab Shura Mohamed
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the plea entered by the appellant was unequivocal and valid.
- 2 Whether the trial court considered the appellant's age and understanding of the proceedings.
- 3 Whether the appellant's rights as a refugee under the Refugees Act were considered.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the appellant's plea was unequivocal as he understood the charges and admitted the facts after they were read to him. However, the court exercised its discretion to quash the conviction and set aside the sentence, substituting it with a conditional discharge on each count for twelve months, on condition that the appellant does not commit any crime during that period. The court further ordered the appellant's release from custody unless otherwise lawfully held and directed that he be handed over to the UNHCR for determination of his refugee status, recognizing the need to consider the appellant's rights as a refugee under the Refugees Act.
Court Disposition
conviction quashed, sentence set aside, conditional discharge substituted, appellant to be handed to UNHCR
Orders
- Conviction quashed and sentence set aside.
- Conditional discharge for twelve months on each count, provided no crime is committed within that period.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
19 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT GARISSA
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.74 OF 2013
Appeal from conviction and sentence by Resident Magistrate at Mwingi (I.W. Gichobi, RM) in Criminal Case No. 365 of 2013
ABDUHAB SHURA MOHAMED…….…….APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC…………………………………RESPONDENT
JUDGEMENT
Abduhab Shura Mohamed, the appellant, was charged jointly with Abdikizaq Aweyi Hassan and Ali Hassan Yadarow at Mwingi Principal Magistrate’s Court Criminal Case No. 365 of 2013. The appellant was the 1st accused and had been charged with Abdirizaq Aweyi Hassan as 2nd accused and Ali Hassan Yaparow as the third accused in the lower court at Mwingi. The three were charged with failing to report entry to Kenya as Refugees contrary to section 11 (1) read with subsection (3) of the Refugees Act. It was alleged that on 26th June 2013 at Mwingi Road block along Mwingi-Thika Road within Mwingi Central District in Kitui County on board Motor Vehicle KBS 346D labeled Muhsin Bus were found having failed to report entry into Kenya as refugees.
The appellant faced the second count of unlawful possession of an identify card belonging to another person contrary to section 14 (1) of the Registration of Persons Act. It was alleged that on the same date and place as in Count 1 he was found in possession of Identity Card No. 23021753 belonging to Abdirashid Yussuf Abdinoor.
The charges were read to the appellant on 27th June 2013. He admitted both counts. The facts were read to him and again he admitted them. In mitigation he told the court that he was given the identity card subject matter of the charges in count two by someone in the bus whom he did not know.
In an appeal filed on 1st July 2013 the appellant now says the plea was not unequivocal and that the trial magistrate failed to take into his age; failed to establish if the appellant understood the proceedings; failed to consider that the appellant was a refugee and the sentence is excessive.
In brief submissions in support of the petition of appeal Mr. Nzili for the appellant stated that the appellant was a refugee at the time of his arrest, conviction and sentence and that the trial court did not consider his rights under Section 16 of the Refugee Act and was harsh in ordering repatriation contrary to section 18 of the same Act.
The respondent submitted that the sentence is not excessive and that the appellant was properly convicted and sentenced.
I have considered this matter. I find the plea unequivocal. The appellant understood the charges and admitted the facts after these were read out to him. He also mitigated to the fact that the identity card was given to him in the bus he was travelling in.
This court will however intervene and quash the conviction, set the sentence aside and substitute it with conditional discharge in each count that in the next twelve months they do not commit any crime. I further order that the appellant be set free from custody unless for any other reason he is held in custody and that he be handed over to the UNCHR to determine his refugee status. This order shall be implemented by the Officer in Charge of Garissa Police Station. I so order.
Dated, signed and delivered this 17th day of December 2013.
S.N.MUTUKU
JUDGE