[2008] KEHC 746 (KLR)
The court found that although there was a delay of 24 days between the accused's arrest and arraignment, the prosecution provided a reasonable explanation for the delay. The accused was being investigated for multiple serious offences committed in different locations, which required time to trace witnesses and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2008] KEHC 746 (KLR)
- Parties
- Respondent: Republic; Defendant: Paul Otieno Ndejwe; Defendant: Paul Ouma Oteino
- Court
- High Court
- Court Station
- High Court at Kisii
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Criminal Case 38 of 2005
- Procedural Posture
- Criminal Case / Ruling on Constitutional Objection Prior to Trial
- Outcome
- constitutional objection dismissed; trial to proceed
- Legal Topics
- Pre Trial Detention, Right to Be Brought to Court, Explanation for Delay, Murder Charge
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Republic
Respondent
Paul Otieno Ndejwe
Defendant
Paul Ouma Oteino
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Criminal Case / Ruling on Constitutional Objection Prior to Trial
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the accused's constitutional right under section 72(3)(b) of the Constitution was violated by being arraigned in court 24 days after arrest.
- 2 Whether the explanation provided by the police for the delay in arraignment was reasonable and sufficient.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that although there was a delay of 24 days between the accused's arrest and arraignment, the prosecution provided a reasonable explanation for the delay. The accused was being investigated for multiple serious offences committed in different locations, which required time to trace witnesses and compile investigation files. The court also took judicial notice of logistical challenges faced by the police, such as lack of official vehicles and reliance on public transport. Given these circumstances, the court held that the delay was sufficiently explained and did not amount to a violation of the accused's constitutional rights under section 72(3)(b) of the Constitution. The...
Court Disposition
constitutional objection dismissed; trial to proceed
Orders
- The accused's objection based on section 72(3)(b) of the Constitution is dismissed.
- The trial shall proceed as scheduled.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
26 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA
OF KISII
Criminal Case 38 of 2005
REPUBLIC ………………………………………….. PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
1. PAUL OTIENO NDEJWE )
2. PAUL OUMA OTEINO ) ………….........…………... ACCUSED.
RULING
The accused are charged with murder contrary to section 203 and 204 of the Penal Code. The particulars of the offence are that on the 5th day of April, 2004 at Rapogi area in Migori District, the accused jointly with another before court murdered Dominic Osambo Oginya.
When the case came up for hearing, Mr. Ombachi for the first accused hereinafter referred to as “the accused” raised a Constitutional issue based on the provisions of Section 72(3) (b) of the Constitution. He said that the accused was arrested on 2nd June 2004 but was not arraigned in court until 26th June, 2004, 24 days after the date of his arrest. He urged the court to find that the accused’s constitutional right was violated as no reason for the delay had been advanced by the prosecution. He submitted that the accused ought to be discharged of the charge that he was facing.
Police constable Simon Simiyu of Divisional Crime Investigation Office, Migori, swore an affidavit and explained that the offence of murder with which the accused is charged was committed on 5th April, 2004. The accused went at large and was arrested on 2nd June, 2004 at Homa Bay. He was to face charges of murder and robberies committed at Awendo, Rongo, Migori and Sori. The accused was collected by CID officers from Homa Bay on 3rd June, 2004 and between 4th and 6th June, 2004 he was being interrogated in connection with the said charges. Investigations continued and the principal witnesses were traced and recorded their statements on 20th and 21st June, 2004.
P. C. Simiyu further explained that owing to the number of cases being investigated against the accused and the distances between Migori, Sori, Awendo & Rongo, it took considerable time to complete and compile the investigation files.
Mr. Kemo, Principal State Counsel, urged the court to find the aforesaid explanation sufficient.
Under section 72(3)(b) of the Constitution, where an accused person is not arraigned in court within the stipulated period of time, the burden of proving that the accused was taken to court as soon as was reasonably practicable lies on the person who alleges that the provisions of that subsection were complied with. In ALBANUS MWASIA MUTUA V REPUBLIC Criminal Appeal No.120 of 2004 it was held that unexplained delay in arraigning an accused person before court will usually result in acquittal of the accused.
Where the police has offered an explanation it is for the court to consider whether such an explanation is reasonable in the circumstances of the case.
In this case, I have no reasons to doubt the depositions made by P.C. Simon Simiyu. Investigations that were being conducted in respect of several offences which were committed in distant places from one another would usually take much longer period of time compared to investigations in one given place. I also take note of the fact that the police have shortage of official vehicles for use in their investigative movements and often they have to rely on public means of transport. That definitely hampers their efficiency.
Though there was 10 days’ delay in arraigning the accused in court, I think the delay has sufficiently been explained. I do not find that the accused’s constitutional rights were violated. The trial should proceed as scheduled.
DATED, SIGNED and DELIVERED at KISII this 19th day of November, 2008.
D. K. MUSINGA
JUDGE.
Delivered in the open court in the presence of:
1. Accused
2. Mr. Kemo, Principal State Counsel for the Republic
D. K. MUSINGA.
JUDGE.