[2008] KEHC 1415 (KLR)
The High Court found that the trial was fundamentally irregular because the charge-sheet cited section 296(1) of the Penal Code, which covers simple robbery, while the facts disclosed robbery with violence under section 296(2). The trial magistrate failed to address this irregularity or require amendment of the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2008] KEHC 1415 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Hassan Abdala Ibrahim; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 505 of 2006
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- Trial vacated and matter remitted to Attorney-General for decision on proper charge.
- Judges
- JB Ojwang
- Legal Topics
- Robbery, Charge Sheet Irregularity, Section 296 Penal Code, Trial Vitiation
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Hassan Abdala Ibrahim
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the charge under section 296(1) of the Penal Code was proper given the facts disclosed robbery with violence under section 296(2).
- 2 Whether the trial and conviction based on an irregular charge-sheet were valid in law.
- 3 What is the appropriate remedy where a fundamental irregularity in the charge-sheet vitiates the trial.
Ratio Decidendi
The High Court found that the trial was fundamentally irregular because the charge-sheet cited section 296(1) of the Penal Code, which covers simple robbery, while the facts disclosed robbery with violence under section 296(2). The trial magistrate failed to address this irregularity or require amendment of the charge-sheet. As a result, the conviction and sentence could not stand. The court vacated the trial and remitted the matter to the Attorney-General to determine whether to prosecute the appellant afresh under the correct provision. The appellant was to remain in custody pending the Attorney-General's decision.
Court Disposition
Trial vacated and matter remitted to Attorney-General for decision on proper charge.
Orders
- The trial before the magistrate is vacated.
- The matter is remitted to the Attorney-General to determine the appropriate charge under section 26 of the Constitution.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NAIROBI (NAIROBI LAW COURTS)
Criminal Appeal 505 of 2006
HASSAN ABDALA IBRAHIM......….............APPELLANT
-AND-
REPUBLIC……………….……….……….RESPONDENT
(An appeal from the Judgement of Principal Magistrate
Mr. J.G. Kingori dated 12th May, 2005 in Criminal Case No.1099 of 2004 at Garissa Law Courts)
JUDGEMENT
The appellant was charged with robbery contrary to s.296(1) of the Penal Code (Cap.63, Laws of Kenya); and the particulars were that he, together with another person not before the Court, on 24th November, 2004 at about 6. 30 pm at Garissa Town within North Eastern Province, robbed Fredrick Kuronya Aburukiof Kshs.4,000/= and at, or immediately before, or immediately after the time of such robbery, threatened to use actual violence against the said Fredrick Kuronya Aburuki.
From the details of the charge, it is curious immediately, what would have been the basis for bringing the charge under s.296(1) and not s. 296(2) of the Act which provides for capital robbery. This point comes through in the submission of learned counsel Mrs. Gakobo: “The appellant was lucky, for the offence disclosed was robbery with violence; but the charge was brought under s.296(1) of the Penal Code”.
The learned Magistrate’s finding is thus set out:
“At the time of stealing the complainant’s money the accused and [his companion] splashed water on him, grabbed him and threatened him with violence forcing him to fail to raise alarm. I have absolutely no doubt that this amounted to simple robbery.”
Clearly, the learned Magistrate’s finding is mistaken in law; and he makes this finding against the background of an irregularity in the charge-sheet; the Magistrate ought to have drawn to the attention of the prosecution to this fundamental irregularity, in good time, so an amendment to the charge-sheet could have been effected.
As it is, the appellant who was, by the defaults of the prosecution and the trial Court, sentenced to a five-year term of imprisonment, now comes on appeal, seeking the setting aside of that sentence. But this Court’s appellate hearings are not conducted as a formality; this Court considers all the evidence, as well as the applicable law; and this Court will not donate the impress of legality to an irregular trial, or to a sentence that does not emanate from the law.
The facts, as they emerge in the proceedings, show that no valid trialcould have been conducted on the basis of s.296 (1) of the Penal Code. An irregular trial had been conducted, and this Court must vacate it. This, in my opinion, will not prejudice the appellant, since, had he been found guilty under s.296(2) of the Penal Code, the applicable penalty would have been the death penalty.
I hereby vacate the trial which took place before the trial Court. This matter shall be remitted to the office of the Attorney-General, to take an appropriate decision by virtue of s.26 of the Constitution of Kenya, regarding the proper charge to be brought against the appellant herein. If the Attorney-General shall decide to prosecute the appellant according to law, he shall proceed without delay, and the matter shall be heard before a Magistrate other than the one who heard it in the first place. If the Attorney-General decides not to prosecute, then this matter shall be listed for mention before the High Court, for the purpose of discharging the appellant herein. In the meantime, the appellant shall remain in prison custody.
Orders accordingly.
DATED and DELIVERED at Nairobi this 13th day of October, 2008.
J. B. OJWANG
JUDGE
Coram: Ojwang, J
Court Clerk: Huka
For the Respondent: Mrs. Gakobo
Appellant in person