[2010] KEHC 1432 (KLR)
The court found that the prosecution had adduced credible and sufficient evidence, including expert testimony from document examiners and government printers, to prove that the appellant was in possession of forged documents and a rubber stamp with a KRA label. The appellant's explanation was found to be...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2010] KEHC 1432 (KLR)
- Parties
- Appellant: Joram Meshak Malafu; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Law Courts)
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Appeal 319 of 2009
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Appeal / Judgment
- Outcome
- appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence upheld
- Legal Topics
- Forgery, Making Document Without Authority, Evidence Evaluation, Expert Testimony
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Joram Meshak Malafu
Appellant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the conviction of the appellant on charges of making documents without authority and forgery was supported by evidence beyond reasonable doubt.
- 2 Whether the prosecution's evidence, including expert testimony, was sufficient to sustain the conviction.
- 3 Whether the appellant's defence raised reasonable doubt as to his guilt.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the prosecution had adduced credible and sufficient evidence, including expert testimony from document examiners and government printers, to prove that the appellant was in possession of forged documents and a rubber stamp with a KRA label. The appellant's explanation was found to be unconvincing and did not raise reasonable doubt as to his guilt. The trial court's conviction and sentence were upheld as the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Court Disposition
appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence upheld
Orders
- The appeal is dismissed.
- The conviction and sentence imposed by the trial court are upheld.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
32 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
AT NAIROBI (NAIROBI LAW COURTS)
Criminal Appeal 319 of 2009
(From Original Conviction and Sentence in Criminal Case No. 857 of 2006 of the Chief
Magistrate’s Court at Nairobi)
JORAM MESHAK MALAFU………………………………..APPELLANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC…………………………………………………….RESPONDENT
JUDGMENT
TheAppellant was charged with 7 counts in one charge sheet and was convicted on all of them.The counts are as follows:
Court 1 -Making Document without authority contrary to Section 357(9)
Count II – Similar charges
Count III -Similar charges
Count IV -Forgery of stamps C/o Section 352 (a)
Count V – Forgery
Count VI – Forgery of stamps.
The prosecution was represented by PW1PC Abdi Noor Osman.On 9/5/07 he was conducting search of some suspects his colleagues recovered a rubber stamp with a KRA label at Moroko Patrol base.We searched further and recovered 3 PSV.
(1)PSV No. E208234.
(2)PSV No G2 75953
(3)PSV No G2 78997
(4)Road Licence badge No. 3789 No. ORO 38218
The suspect was in the vehicle.They arrested and took him to Kamukunji Police Station.The suspect was the appellant.The rubber stamp was in his socks.The other documents were in his pockets.
PW2 was Lewi S. Lumuti who works with KRA Busia Insp. Otieno had visited office in Kitale on 13/6/06 requiring about our stamp. There are several discrepancies.PW1 is Peter Otaro.He said they were conducting searches.Thevehicle KAQ 571E travelling toWesternProvince.I searched a young passenger in his socks.I recovered a rubber stamp with a KAR badge.Also recovered from his jackets 2 blank PSV licence for drug and one for conductor.PW3 arrested him on 5/5/06. PW4 works with KRA as revenue officer.
PW5 worked with KRA.PW6 worked with Government Printer publishing documents used by Government Departments.On 5/6/06 he confirmed by letter that the documents were not printed by Government Printer Exhibit 10 in the record.He was able to confirm because they had recorded several ………….. which did not appear in their records.
PW7 was a document examiner.PW8 was revenue officer who gave evidence.Thereafter the Appellant was called upon to defend himself.
Appellant gave unsworn statement and said on that date he was going home.There was a road block at Country Bus.They were ordered to alight.He saw an envelope on the ground he picked it and before he opened it he was arrested.Then the forged stamps were taken out he had been already arrested and taken to Moroto Patrol base and he was charged.He said he did not know who had dropped the stamps.He was convicted by Magistrate Bidali on 9/2/2009 and was sentenced by SPM Muketi. For sentence fine of Shs. 350,000/= in total.
I have considered that the evidence supporting prosecution is given by expert. Document examiners, handwriting examiners and that the appellant had no much to say except to place himself at the scene.
I find the prosecution conducted prosecution beyond reasonable doubt and I find the Appeal has no merit.The same is dismissed.
Dated and delivered atNairobithis 7th day of October 2010.
J. N. KHAMINWA
JUDGE