[2023] KEHC 18307 (KLR)
The High Court, per J.K. Sergon J, held that it lacked jurisdiction to revise a sentence imposed by a judge of concurrent jurisdiction. Even if jurisdiction existed, the applicant failed to present sufficient grounds to warrant a revision of the custodial sentence to a non-custodial one. The court emphasized that...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2023] KEHC 18307 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: David Nawii Ekale; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Lodwar
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Revision E068 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Revision / Ruling
- Outcome
- Application disallowed; no revision of sentence granted.
- Judges
- JK Sergon
- Legal Topics
- Manslaughter, Sentencing Revision, Jurisdiction of High Court
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
David Nawii Ekale
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Revision / Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the High Court has jurisdiction to revise a sentence imposed by a judge of concurrent jurisdiction.
- 2 Whether the applicant has provided sufficient grounds for the revision of his custodial sentence to a non-custodial sentence.
Ratio Decidendi
The High Court, per J.K. Sergon J, held that it lacked jurisdiction to revise a sentence imposed by a judge of concurrent jurisdiction. Even if jurisdiction existed, the applicant failed to present sufficient grounds to warrant a revision of the custodial sentence to a non-custodial one. The court emphasized that the appropriate remedy for dissatisfaction with a sentence is to file an appeal, not to invoke the court's revisionary powers. Consequently, the oral application for sentence revision was found to be incompetent and was disallowed.
Court Disposition
Application disallowed; no revision of sentence granted.
Orders
- The applicant's oral application for revision of sentence is disallowed.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
Ekale v Republic (Criminal Revision E068 of 2021) [2023] KEHC 18307 (KLR) (12 May 2023) (Ruling)
Neutral citation: [2023] KEHC 18307 (KLR)
Republic of Kenya
In the High Court at Lodwar
Criminal Revision E068 of 2021
JK Sergon, J
May 12, 2023
Between
David Nawii Ekale
Applicant
and
Republic
Respondent
Ruling
1. David Nawii Ekale, the applicant herein was tried on a charge of murder contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the Penal Code. The particulars of the offence are that on the nights of 19th and August 20, 2013 at Nakwamekwi sub-location within Turkana county murdered Susan Afikon Ekalale.
2. The Hon Mr Justice Riechi heard the case and in the end he convicted the applicant for the lesser charge of manslaughter contrary to section 205 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to serve 10 years imprisonment.
3. The applicant is now before this court seeking to serve the remainder of the sentence on a non-custodial sentence. Mr Kahuthu, learned state counsel urged this court not to interfere with the sentence and leave the applicant to serve his sentence in full.
4. I have considered the rival arguments. It is apparent that the applicant is beseeching this court to revise the sentence to enable him serve a non-custodial sentence. The order on sentence was made by a judge of concurrent jurisdiction and I do not think this court has jurisdiction to interfere with the sentence in exercise of the revisionary power of this court.
5. Even if, this court had jurisdiction to entertain such an application, I am not convinced that the applicant has put forward sound grounds to sustain it. If the applicant was dissatisfied with the decision on sentence, he had the option to challenge the same on appeal and not by prompting this court to exercise its revisionary power.
6. In the end I find the applicant’s oral application to be incompetent and inappropriate. The same is disallowed.
DATED, SIGNED AND DELIVERED THIS 12TH DAY OF MAY, 2022…………………J. K. SERGONJUDGEIn the presence of: -Mr. Kahuthu for the StateAccuseds presentCourt Assistant: Biwott