[2024] KEHC 13819 (KLR)

Republic v Nthiga alias Blackie & 3 others (Criminal Case E012 of 2023) [2024] KEHC 13819 (KLR) (6 November 2024) (Ruling)

Neutral citation: [2024] KEHC 13819 (KLR)

Republic of Kenya

In the High Court at Embu

Criminal Case E012 of 2023

LM Njuguna, J

November 6, 2024

Between

Republic

Prosecution

and

Stanley Mwangangi Nthiga Alias Blackie

1st Accused

Simon Wachira Ngari Alias Kangali

2nd Accused

Ambrose Mugendi Ireri

3rd Accused

Josiah Waweru Nthiga

4th Accused

Ruling

1. The accused persons are facing the charge of murder contrary to Section 203 as read together with Section 204 of the Penal Code. Particulars of the charge are that on 7th October, 2021 at Minuri village in Mbeere South Sub County within Embu County, the accused persons jointly murdered Faustino Njeru Njoka.

2. The accused persons took a plea of not guilty and the same was duly entered. The case proceeded to hearing and the prosecution called thirteen (13) witnesses and then rested their case.

3. Under Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure Code, this Court is tasked with making a ruling on whether or not the accused persons have a case to answer and whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case. The provision states:Section 306 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code:“When the evidence of the witnesses for the Prosecution has been concluded, the court, if it considers that there is no evidence that the accused or any one of the several or any one of the several accused committed the offence shall, after hearing, if necessary any arguments which the advocate for the prosecution or the defence may desire to submit, record a finding of not guilty.”

4. The court in the case of Republic Vs Abdi Ibrahim Owi (2013) eKLR, defined a prima facie case as follows:“‘Prima facie’ is a latin word defined by Black’s Law Dictionary 8th Edition as, “sufficient to establish a fact or raise presumption unless disapproved or rebutted”. ‘Prima facie’ is defined by the same dictionary as “the establishment of a legally required rebuttable presumption.”

5. In other words, a prima facie case is a rebuttable presumption that the accused person is guilty of the offence. In the case of Ramanlal Trambaklal Bhatt Vs. R (1957) E.A 332 at 335, the court stated as follows:“Remembering that the legal onus is always on the Prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, we cannot agree that a prima facie case is made out if, at the close of the prosecution’s case, the case is merely one in which on full consideration might possible be thought sufficient to sustain a conviction.” This is perilously near suggesting that the court would not be prepared to convict if no defence is made, but rather, hopes the defence will fill the gaps in the Prosecution case.……there is a case to answer depends only on whether there is “some evidence, irrespective of its credibility or weight, sufficient to put the accused on his defence”. A mere scintilla of evidence can never be enough; nor can any amount of worthless discredited evidence. It may not be easy to define what is meant by a, “prima facie case”, but at least it must mean one on which a reasonable, properly directing its mind to the law and the evidence could convict if no explanation is offered by the defence”.

6. Nevertheless, where the court is not acquitting the accused person, there is no need to give a deep reasoning in a ruling for case to answer. The case would have been otherwise where there was a submission on ‘no case to answer’ as the court would have been required to give its reasons for considering that the accused has no case to answer.

7. I have considered the evidence by the prosecution in its entirety and it is my considered view that a prima facie case has been established. The accused persons have a case to answer and are therefore placed on their defense.

8. It is so ordered.

DELIVERED, DATED AND SIGNED AT EMBU THIS 6THDAY OF NOVEMBER, 2024. L. NJUGUNAJUDGE……………………………………….................................................................................for the State………………………………………..……………………………...……for the 1st Accused Person………………………………………..……………………………...……for the 2nd Accused Person………………………………………..……………………………...……for the 3rd Accused Person………………………………………..……………………………...……for the 4th Accused Person