[2013] KEHC 1801 (KLR)
The court found that the order forfeiting the applicant's cash bail in Criminal Case No. 1359/2011 was irregular and erroneous. The applicant, Jonathan Musau, continued to attend court in the consolidated case (No. 1366/2011) and was ultimately acquitted. There was no evidence that he absconded or failed to comply...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2013] KEHC 1801 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Patrick Kisilu Mutisya; Applicant: Jonathan Musau Wambua; Respondent: Republic
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Machakos
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Revision 20 of 2013
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Revision / Determination of Application for Revision of Forfeiture Order
- Outcome
- application for revision allowed; forfeiture order quashed; cash bail to be refunded
- Judges
- LN Mutende
- Legal Topics
- Bail Forfeiture, Revision Jurisdiction, Consolidation of Criminal Cases
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Patrick Kisilu Mutisya
Applicant
Jonathan Musau Wambua
Applicant
Republic
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Criminal Revision / Determination of Application for Revision of Forfeiture Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the order forfeiting the applicant's cash bail in Criminal Case No. 1359/2011 was proper in light of the consolidation with Criminal Case No. 1366/2011.
- 2 Whether the applicant was entitled to a refund of the cash bail after acquittal in the consolidated case.
- 3 Whether there was an error apparent on the face of the record justifying revision under Section 362 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the order forfeiting the applicant's cash bail in Criminal Case No. 1359/2011 was irregular and erroneous. The applicant, Jonathan Musau, continued to attend court in the consolidated case (No. 1366/2011) and was ultimately acquitted. There was no evidence that he absconded or failed to comply with bail conditions. The forfeiture order was made without proper basis and without clear indication of the proceedings leading to it. The court exercised its revisionary jurisdiction under Section 362 of the Criminal Procedure Code to quash and set aside the forfeiture order, holding that the applicant was entitled to a refund of the cash bail deposited.
Court Disposition
application for revision allowed; forfeiture order quashed; cash bail to be refunded
Orders
- The order made by Honourable S. Gacheru on 20/12/2011 forfeiting the cash bail is quashed and set aside.
- The cash bail deposited in respect of Jonathan Musau shall be refunded to the depositor.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
25 paragraphs
105/2013
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT MACHAKOS
CRIMINAL REVISION CASE NO. 20 OF 2013
PATRICK KISILU MUTISYA…………………….1ST APPLICANT
JONATHAN MUSAU …............................................2nd APPLICANT
VERSUS
REPUBLIC……………………………………………..RESPONDENT
CRIMINAL REVISION
This file was placed before me by the Deputy Registrar, Machakos, Ms. Rose Makungufollowing a letter dated 14th August, 2013 authored by the firm of Mutinda Kimeu and Company.
It seeks revision of an order made by Honourable S. Gacheru,Principal Magistrate forfeiting cash bail deposited by the accused in Criminal Case No. 1359/2011 on 3rd January, 2012.
The prayer sought is premised on grounds that criminal Case No. 1359/2011 was consolidated with Criminal Case No. 1366/2011. Bail terms that had been imposed in Criminal Case No. 1359/2011 were to apply in regard to Criminal Case No. 1366/11.
Jonathan Musau who had been charged in Criminal Case No. 1359/2011 that was withdrawn continued attending trial in criminal case No. 1366/2011. Consequently he was acquitted. He discovered that the cash bail had been forfeited to the State when he made a request for release of the same.
I have perused both files with a view of satisfying myself with the correctness of the order made pursuant to the provisions of Section 362 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Jonathan Musau Wambua was charged with the offence of trespass upon private land contrary to Section 3(1) as read with Section 11 of the Trespass Act Cap 294, Laws of Kenya.
In Criminal Case No. 1359/2011 some pages are missing from the file but on the 27. 9.2011 the accused appeared in court for mention.
On the 26/10/2011 when the case was scheduled for hearing the accused appeared in court. The case failed to proceed because the prosecution witnesses did not attend court.
On the 20/12/2011 the accused was not present. Thereafter the learned Magistrate made an order forfeiting the cash bail following the absence of the accused. No date is indicated. Consequently, the cash bail was forfeited to the state, per the payment voucher dated 16/1/2012.
A perusal of Criminal case No. 1366/2011 shows that initially, Patrick Kisilu Mutisya was charged with the offence of Trespass upon private land contrary to Section 3(1) as read with Section 11 of the Trespass Act.
On the 15/3/2012 the prosecution applied to withdraw a Criminal case captured as No.359/2011. The case was then consolidated with Criminal Case No. 1366/2011. The charge sheet presented was in the names of Patrick Kisilu Mutisyaand Jonathan Musau Wambua. The charge was of trespass upon private land per the order of Honourable Gesora,the same bail terms were to apply. The case was heard and concluded on the 7/8/2013. The accused persons were acquitted.
I wish to point out that it is not known when Criminal case No. 1359/2011 was placed before the Honourable S. Gacheru and how the order forfeiting the cash bail was made. This was an error that calls for intervention of this court. Following the irregularity apparent on the face of the record, I do quash and set aside the order made by the Honourable S. Gacheruon 20/12/2011 forfeiting the cash bail.
Consequently, the cash bail deposited in respect of Jonathan Musaushall be refunded to the depositor.
DATED,SIGNED andDELIVERED at MACHAKOSthis day 17th of OCTOBER, 2013.
L.N. MUTENDE
JUDGE