20130925 TZCA Tabora

20130925 TZCA Tabora

Failure to read and explain the charge to the accused at the commencement of trial before the High Court is a fatal procedural irregularity that renders the proceedings a nullity and is not curable under section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Citation
20130925 TZCA Tabora
Parties
Appellant: Cheko s/o Yahaya; Respondent: The Republic
Court
TZCA
Jurisdiction
Tanzania
Judgment Date
25 September 2013
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal From Conviction and Sentence After Trial in High Court
Outcome
Appeal allowed; conviction and sentence quashed; retrial ordered.
Legal Topics
Murder, Fair Trial, Arraignment, Plea Taking, Procedural Irregularity
Source Language
English

Case Brief

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Parties

Cheko s/o Yahaya

Appellant

The Republic

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal From Conviction and Sentence After Trial in High Court

  1. 1 Whether failure to read and explain the charge to the accused at commencement of trial constitutes an unfair trial
  2. 2 Whether such omission is curable under section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Act

Ratio Decidendi

Failure to read and explain the charge to the accused at the commencement of trial before the High Court is a fatal procedural irregularity that renders the proceedings a nullity and is not curable under section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; conviction and sentence quashed; retrial ordered.

Orders

  • Proceedings before the High Court quashed
  • Sentence set aside