NA TZHC Tabora 2

A'l' 'rABOTu\. AJ?rE'.LLA'l'T:: JCfRISDIC-11:0N ('llibora Registry) (rrc) CF.IlilliiAL Arr~L NO. 92 OF 1995 (.ORIG Ili'u., G~Ii;:IJi..ll, CA.3E l'JC o 335 OF 1992 OF SHD!YANGA fild'JBIC'l' J U 1) G E l'J E 1: 'l' Cll.1R'.11iJs Store :O:reaking c/s 296 (i) of the feral Code Ca_p.16. Faci:'lg init,ia.lly 1 a serious indict,men-t·, 1 were five accused. persons, ramely -:-1-:- EZ~U"L PE:!.'ICTt, -:-2-:- t'Wl'"Bm F:!E'.l.·O:t-8, -3- F'1113'l·O .MA.KA.WL-1. 1 -4--:- m,-.URIG"E Wml.UA 1:TOSilil. and -5-:- BT:;.;.SO~:" :C1IiAi'J 7 as first f second, t.hird, fourth, and 5th accu.sed llersons resi-iec+,ivclyo '11he t.rial l10ro.lde<1 1 or harbingered by each accusccls plea of not 0.1.il•;,y, t.ooks normal adversarial course, t,he judiciai journey 1 whfoh was no·i ,1:1:ihou-h judicial st,orms 1 onded in t.he ac qui-Lt.al of aocu.seds Nos., ( 1) 1 (2), (4), (5) and (6) 1 who bapply walked out of Court. scot f:ree, wl1ile +.he 3:::-d accused marooned. in ·;·;he dock, found himself convicted as c;:l.:,rg:id; a;.1d sert••-: .. c.Jocl ·I;o :five years impri_s?nmcnt. 1 under the 1Ji;.1inum Sen-i,emcs Act. 1972 7 <1.s ar::ent1.od from ·hme t,o i.ime. 'l'b.e said. t,ci..:;d accL..:,G_ oonvict 1 F1il:i'i'O H.1\.l-;:;:\.:-U:At hence to be called t,he appell.::..n-:,} aggrievri •i, ::.:.::_::; -d.l-)_;.)ecJ.led ag.1L·JE·;; OL'., '.G;tr:is.l-~Y.: contendingl-· (i) 'l'b:,:-ii 1 ·,;lw lc:~rned l\hg:1.st,r2.•;,0, erred in lc.w and fact, t.i,i:.:,-;-, i,l1e o:.C'fencc, of sf.ore ·brco.k:i.ng :..md s-f;ec.ling, was f)I'OVCd. ~Gyoncl rG.J.som.blG doubi;., (ii) 'l'h.-i t. s -;,;.:,_e "!.r:i.c.l f/l;J.gis+.r~,, t,e, erred in law and fa.ct, in ·rsjcc·i,i1'.l(;' his d.efenceai 'l'bD,t,, A10 <:cic.l M:tgisiro-l.c!i erred in law n.nd fact, 0 in holdil'.1{,· 1 tJ.n t. t,.b.ere w.:is no eviclence to corrobor.::i.te t.~1e evidence of ·:,he 3rd 3,0cused., fusicc.lly beco..'Ll.Be of ·I._":ic .::i.bove reasons 1 ·;·,he appellant who for reason of re1.1otec. .sickness~- coulcl not. persomlly prosecute t the appe.::i.l and 11.:.:c_ tho co:u'idence, to 11:~ve ·ii:1e Cw.rt, proceed., 1·ri. t.hout his appearc.nce sou:{·:i• ·c,.:ic.-t "t.ho a,,}e,.:l be o..llo1ved, convic1'ion qu:1.shed, sent,ence' set ,?...sid.c ~ c.nd ho.ve b:..c n:.'.i'.t'..I'C..l l:::.~oert.y "f 1 freeclom gu;.:i.ranteedt 'l'bis appe,:,,1 1 (2). was hGroically resisted, by ]he learned Senior State Attorney i'lr. fu"i;t,c"'.t who with self-:-right,eous confidence,- submitted t,b.::d, as t,he stolen proi>erI,y was found, in the con3c; ous possession of the appellant, under the - S1 doctrine of recent possession, t.he irr~fo.ble inference was that,, not only did ·i;JJ.c ,'.'./;_)Olla.nt steal; i.he exhibited property, but too 1 t.ha t., befo:-::P. :so stcc,li11g, he rod to brenk into t,he godo-wn1 with the necessa1'y crir.ri.1t,l cnirnus f?UOi '111:10 le::i.rned Senior Co~~~, i;b.cre:i:o:re I pro.yed ·/;h;:_;-/; i..:.io appeal be disrr..issod, in i't.s entirety, t,he sen-:,,mce p.J.ss()d L'll;on ·;;l:._e np~olL:mt; oein~ ·,,he skd,utory M:i.ninum Sen-i,enco, unde:r the M.irJ_L::..151 :Sent.crnc'e~ Act. 1972 1 as amended fror,1 t,irne t.o time .. 'lhe eviden.::Je, t,bi.lt, .:1.0·;,s.ns e.. judicial rudder in this case, is \· basic-:-.ll;y not, coni,1'o"'.r:,:·~<fole 1 at a.~l• It. spC"aks, as loudly as follows. In Bh~ nyc:;,ng.::. 'l~,-mshi.p 1 1-;c.s in 1992, · .&JIIT'.l'A doing business t and a.1:1Ang i"t.erns sole":. 7:iy it, wore b:~o;_;-0lGsr p;;1rt,ict..1lo.rlir ·t,he phoenix series type 1 of bicyclcsct For s~,o:rc.Ge paI"1)oses of such noi'Chandioe 1 SJKI'.iA bad a go~oun 1 1-1lri.cb. in't.Gr ali::. oon~,.:;.ined st.ore, in t.he Sbiny.:inga Industrial are.::,., Ii; is defyi r..g c ~1:.--.llencs, t,ha t on t,he r;10:;_•ning of 10 /7 /199 2t a secu:ri ·i,y Gu:::.rd, ili.Disi J):y:·,ho hyst,e:r:i.ccl.lly a.1111 emot.ionally repor+,ed, t,o P i.L EZif.S FU~:))I t:1G s::;"III'J.A Branch lihn,.i~:-,i'.' 1l-,ro.t the go--:-a-own; bad boon 0 broken: into., 'l'he sc.id. 1-·.1:J.I.. accompa.niod by the first accused to ihe scene~· ha obG(,l'"V(~d. t,h:.".t 1 c. hole lr:.d. iJeen mnd0 ini.o -hhe godown wall cum-store at, aboui, -;;he .J_)lD.oe illa bio:·clcs :mrc 'bciilg st,or0a.; c:-nd upon openj_ng the goo.own no:r:::.::,lly 5 it, ·nc.is c7..::..ocov0:redt t,bat eigl1teen bicycles, md been s-l.olon -::b.oI"efron. 1:J.::"ktrc::.11:1 , i.his was a Police case• the Police were info:c:.1ed., o..nd t.ho irr--1cst.:'...;:-;;,:;_ve process 1 took t.he necessary course e At, tt.i.s junc+.ure, lL;:r3 i-,l,.3 1-h:r;is-hrot,e, I c2.rinot, escape from the finding, t,bo:~, 0ic;;.1t,oen bic: cles 1io:rc s+,oien• fror:1 the S:JI{r"l'A go-down, but when, 1 has -l.o o..w.'.'.i t an o~J;;or-i-.t•.net,:~r:,9., ,tho stole is i;he ir.u:iediat.e issue. It is confoundir~G' o 01-r'.-.:roversy, t.b::d, u.,__,on inforrn.:i. t.i on received1 on t,he 11/7/1992t II:tsci.11{.;3. Bax, _·i,he propert.y of i.he appellant was se2.rohccl, by .l?o"J .. 2 Bo86.")0 D/Sgh 1!t,1o'1', u11der 'iihe autbo.rity of t.he Seo.rah Oxder i'lo., 306121 o:f 11/7/1992, F.lrlli1)it. Po1t in the p:reseme of the 'l'en Cell Lea.der Po r-i.3 SEIF IBBAEJ:N1 and tho :ref:rom, were recovered eighteen Phoenextye of bic~;cles. It, is pertinent,, to ask while we are here, whose bicyclos -;·n:.:r.. these? Al though P ,.t,JI ·;·,he Branch Iv.anager tried +.o show t,hrough iJen-r.:Lfioc,hion of t,he bforole s frame -:cn.:u:ibers, t,hrough the regis•i,cr t,m. i; they were aJICT'l¼ ts he conceded n:h ac ertain stage tba t some frarae ru_r,1iJers ba<J. been Iuhbod off, but whe+,her from the bicycle frames, 0r rocisi,er 1 it is no·:, cleL:t'., But. if, is quite clear, that. the said regis1;'Jr 7 v,.::i.s not, t,ex.1.Clcroct ns Elxbibit. 1 but, clea:re:r too, is the fact,, t.~t. f ., \ \._,I .;1~~•~"'"'' ff f HW[rtl ,W Mio*I i.Wr itiruipe 'o1o;yc1~@ i11ttt•~ fi~'>ll.ii,~• 111.,.,~d~f ·••-IA. for idcntifica.t,ion 11 , -;-,to1.:igll 110 where docs, t,lic t,rial Ma.gist.rate; indicate, t 0 t::vc ~.cco:rd.i11Gl;/ lIU •.rkod ihe "bicycles 1 for idotrliification pu:rposes. fu't s6:rriex, is the .Ljosit,ion 1 i·1!1e.:::o the t,I'ial 1'1.1.gist.re.t,e, p:roceeded as if,the bicycles had been tend.c.recl. 1 c:.s F.htbibit,s, when in fact they had 11ot. But sure it, is, t,:.::.i"t,, e-rticles marked for iden·l•,ii'ication 1 are different in la,wt c::.i3-hing-~lis21le ~ro□ t.~1ose .:-:-£1.::'1;:ed. .f;z:i.Zkllibi'kij. fifr ·t~osc r.trkod :for icle::r:.;;_fic.:., t,i en, :.::e .:,·o t, ·:;o 00 lJ:rovods while the t,e:rm Bl;;;:bj_l)i~; 1 is confined ·ho a:r+,icles 1 1111~.c:i lu:ve been for::-u:.lly proved, and adJlliit,ed i..."l eviclomn., In t,hls di:rec-r,ion 1 it. is p:robnbly 1.n·ofessiomlly :rekindling, to t,b.e C0u:-t, rel0v.:i.nt.ly said, in the ca.se of PEEK VSs .. f'nmc (1<219l_21 L'l'. Rep. N..S.C.P. 670. 11 ':fo this w0 would o:'lJ.j, 1 add, t.bat, confusion would be 1 r:voided, if .J.11 coriccrned would refroin from :referring Exhibits, c1nd. if ·iillis term were siric•1;ly confined, as it, should be to nxticles, which have been duly proved, :1nd fo:rr.10.lly tendered ano_ ndr.1i ·t.ted in evidence•' '1Ylnt, iq:)eccable pri110iples iio die hard, and i..:t.:l0xtalisether,1selv-es, finds vindication, in the c~sc 1 of DE:3 RAJ SHARMA VSs R (1953) 20 EA.CA 3j0 2 in which the same princi1)le uas apvlied• 'l'hus while product,ion in Court, of c:1:'d,ie1s, or pbJ1sical objects, is not. absolut.ely necessary, to render parol evidence, as to ·\;heir nature adJ:1issible 1 and though in certain ci:rcmmsi;.:;.r"°es, such non product.ion, my affect, ·the weight, not the adJ~lis:tlibili ty of evidence 1 ,-,here t:.e proseci.:li. on inter.<ls to produce such ar"iiiclcst or objects as e:tllibi~~. it should go t,~1e whole wa;; prove, i-t or· or ii.ttem i,hom fo:cr:u.i.lly, and lnv-e i"f,,e.dmit,ted in eviclenco 1 and be labelled as mtlri.bit o::c exl.::.ibi-l;s• '11:b.e t,ri:11 M_.,_e:i-st,rat.e is in no wc.y less responsible to roke sure t.:.nt sucb. right. ca.u.:rso is followed. I.>1. ·hhis case, the bicycles were nei t,hor rJa:rked for identification mr :fo:rDaJ.ly p:rovedo 'l'o .:i.cbieve wrr.1.t. 2 it, would semn, t,he cupi,o.in of the judicial shlp ~ the t:rio.J. Mi.gist,.ro. t.e then st.e0:ring t,::e judici~l shlp 1 .tad no mvigcl. tional aids, a.nd hence no clenr benring. All t.he snme, I du:hi±\tlly 1ib.c find, i;l'lD. i; the appellant wn.s found in posGecsion of eight.eon bic;:,clos, allegec1ly s-/iolon from &JKI'l1A godown,af'ter t,he brenking in.,. 'l'h.e q_uc ~;-~ion t,lu t, sail us int.a turbulent wa. +.ers, is whether, the:re was s·hore breaking, at, all i.n the ma.rtner known to lav1 1 - Soe Soction 293 of ihG pon:.,l Code Ca.P,J.6 1no ti.rial M:.i.gistr.::..te 7 does 1 with g:reat :respect, e.ppear to have had this q1.rnst.ion in mind.t t,hough he chose, or opt.ea, t,o selGC'fiively answer t.he sm1e 1 at one stage appearing to have the cake, a.nd yet. ni; another st.age, oat.i:ng ito I shall with respect, der.1ons·;·,ro.iie how cmmeleonlilrn he del t wit.h the cpestion hereunder:- / (4) "Now, :lf' thara is ?lO'fl avidenoe t,o •:..:.i,, o:f':f'C!ot 1 ilb.J.t when so fcki.1;:;- over the bicycles we::,e inside the go-down, t:.i1d. since, these bicJ clcs could not leo.ve 0 i.he go-down tlu,ough the hole, cs t ou.nd. on t,he go'4lown walln It iG c.lmost i~ossiblG 1 to 2.lold the fi.rst. accused, l:i.c.::>10 in so far? £.:s b1,e.:iki:ng, and subse~en·~ stealing a:ro concernocU1 'I'his e:1:cerpt, wa.s o. Stu.'G j_,~cludc ~ t,o tl10 acc~uikil of tl:e first accused person, for _p;:;.rapm:c:.sec. l'O,:sons,, t,h..1.+, -:-1~.· when t,he first accused took ove:r gWJ.rcl. cl1..d-ies 1 he ·rr2's mvor l.und.od t,hc c on<,cnt.s of t,he go-down, -:-2-:- the lJossibili t,y t.ho. t, "l',L.c ~)ic;i·lcs .m:i.gllt. h.wo alxcud.y been ta.ken out. of the go-down, when b.e to~k ovox the w.::i.ichdut,ins 1 '1.ncl -:-rt as the bicycles could no·i go t,J.u,ougl1 -l;ho hole ii1eised into t!";e go-:-down wi;.l.11• If this, was tho appro.:1011 of i:ie i',rfal Iv.nbist:ra te, ;J.nd I tlr_11k 1 it w.:i.s, I agree, it, was a qui t.e logicJJ. ap~xo-::.ch, .:i.nd. it lna receivcC:.. my concurrence, whollye But 1 t,l1e unexpL,tln::.ble u-:--turn, by tho i,ric.;.l MJ.gist,rate came, w~1en it, came to consider, -r,bn caoc ago.inst, the a.i_:,poll.:i.nt,, whom he convict,cd, aft.er di rec ting biillsclf 1 as follows g• • 11 '11he 2.,lleg;d bu.rgl..ry 1 and st,eali11g 1 l1L~u. ·t.ckon place at. o.bout 4 a.,m., on 9/7/1992, and +,he SJ.DG were fou11e_ in possessio:1 oi t.he t.hird oocused1 only t.wo d.D.ys lat.e:i'.'~ t,J!...10.r~s 1 I might acu.ni•li, the bicycles can easily change k.nilil, in tbis jl.lI'isdici,ion, but this cannot be iih case here, basing on i;lle nur.abcr of bicycles found. ,·1Hll himo '11bis is therefore a fi ii cc.set wherein i,b.s d.ocii:rine of recen-f; possession can be invoked:i I do so • •• •••,.,.,.he, the i;J.tl:rc1 accused is rosed on t.hG doc·i;1:i.ne of recent. _possession found gv.il t,y of t,he o:E'i'rmce churged11 • K,,vi:,ig the cake and. eat,i1Je it. 1 as t.ho proverb iq;,lies, is im.f,iossible. If ti.:.e allege ci bolo , in "i',he g~own, was not. large enough, to rove n. bicyule go througb. 7 :.111c:?.. if 'the go-:-a-own po.dlocks were int.uci, and unin.1·,erferred wi t,li, :::.s 0oi,h l".,Wol and the second. accused, the sole holders of keys tos+,ified 1 o.11e:. ·/,!10 keys were never misplaced, unless the 2nd accused was <-,_n .:..ccomplicG ~ I fo.. il t.o see, how in la1-1 s·i,oxc br(1aldng could bave been conensu.mt,ely ~oltlovod, ;J.l'ld, I cunnot sc.j,· 1 i.bai when P.,Wol su.id, ''Iji ~s. crui t.8 possible ·;·,:1ese bicycles lnd lcfi, ·l,l;e g~own long before ev-en 1:h:i.t, circW:Jsta.110 es are there to show st.o:re brc:.:~d11g r.mc~ s·tec..ling by ·i;he <-'-,)pclla.nt, o.nd w1l.ess he lmd t.he d<rcl.own .:1110_ st,ore keys - we luve no evidence on t,b.is u.Sp'3ct. some judicic.l si.oncs untu.rned 7 I propose, to wlF-t.her t,l1c::o wa;:; st,ore breaking and stealing (5) as suoh or at ulle In t,lm,1; dl.1.tiful direo•;,ion~ I lnvo given ~lillliprescn'fl oppo:rt,u.ni.t.;y 1 nf sc1'Uiii11y ·:·,o the evidr.mce b;y i-'.,1:r.7 :B 8535 D/C RICE.4-BD¼ whose crvidence, -f,he · t,ricl n:.,gistm.te gave a V8ry :.mjud.icic.J. passing sli.::ipse, unfo:rt,,.,,,mt,oly. ~,_t, 1 with respect. 1 tho Gvide110e is not, wi t,r;.c,ut relcv2.nt, m·ident,inry content. PoUo? as[;. Polio,1 invcst.ig...1.+.ivo d.e·hect,iYc 1 who vis:d,r.:d iihe scens oi o::iine 1 n.'l.rr,.::.t,es, ::ri..s experience °l;l:.e:rGC1.t, tb.l.s~- 11.At. t,b.e scenG of c:7.i.r:ie 1 .'.111 ·r,he doors of +,he ,si,ore were ini-,,:\c•;;J.y lookedo Cl.110 doo::-a wGre opG:::-,.sa.,. and u.t>on grY:,-;;;:.~ insiQc f.he si 0I'G 7 we for,nd in ono of 1 t,te wnllr-1 o. 1:iig hole, c.ncl l:iags of s;.'.gar worepln.ced on ·:,op of -;,:_,c o•i,b.oT 1 lG.::.c.ir. g -r,o iil:e J:10le so creat,ed.. L~,-;~e:r I drew r, sket.cb. plan, of t,hs scone of c.rime •. Anot,hcJ: ·/-,~,• ::1.g I not,ict,d. 1 is \]1..i:,, outside t.he store I h::i.d fow.1.Cl pieces of b.ric1:..s 2 001:,irlg from t,:t':e bole. 'lhls s~-:.owc 'LJ.u·:·, i;he brea1'-.ing 7 w.:,s done from in,:,dde. rr,-, .uv.1'6 • 18 ' C, SKO ' p 1 ;:.n Of +,,C.:.1 i ,,',.O 1 s~...,neo ,....,, f .;,,10 ct C.I'.w! Ipmy to te1u'!.cr i;:10 sa.rae as Exhibit, in this casG • I w::;.nt,r d ·;,o ~;.:now, whet.her a bic;;1c10 1 could be taken out. t,ltrot1;::-;.'.: tl1c hole so Ill-' de• However no bi oy cl e could puss t.heI'e through. It, shows the bicycles --wexe no i, t:.;,l;.:on t,lu.•ough t.h:_.._ t hol c e .All the keys to i·,b.c s·horo wore kept,, by no o'hher person apo.rt from the second c.ocused. ~a n ~10L:J.d not. rove been possible, t,bat t,he DI'oddng wa.s a.one from outside, due to iihe he ic;l:..t. of t.he wc::J.l, about 10 feet a.nd. 9 inches11 As pointed. out, carlior 1 not only did. t,ho gCr'-d.own have a gate, loclco.'blo 1 'but, too, ·l'il:n store in which the bicycles wore, and within 'i.he io-:-d.own1 md. d.ooxs tm:i, were info.ct, when Prf[ visited the scene• Wlrl.le tl;.e bicycles we re io,.1..11.:.l s tolen1 f.rom t.he st,oxe, there is evidol'JC e, t,h.:d, -r.b.o store p~cllock lJ;:-,d. not, been int.erferred with, and th.Ore wus no conplc.L1"t. ::ibout, tho gc.:\;o loc!dng system, ~s in fact, wit.hout ado, P,/fl.7 found. such gu. t,e ..11:recay oponr:id• It, is safe t,o conclude be.re, and so safely t.:..,::1·h neit,J.:er s·;-,oro c.oor! nor g:1te cloor 1-1_0::ee broken at allr t,ho foc-:-,s i.h.li', t,hc r:r:ie,".i.st.rc,\e fL1.iled ~io see" '(ife Cl.re tb.ereio:re lcf1;! wit.ha. :101e, wmchaooo:rdil'JC t,o .l:'oU,74 could noi, acoo:i1r.1oaat,e ::.1. bicycle t,o pnss "tt.rought.: ;1r.d 001}.ld only be st,rucf:urcd f:.'of:1 inside t.he store~ I hnvo gj.ven ihis cv-.L:ome co:iDensu:rat,o, ~1.nd anxious considcrationf c:.nd I ,::r.1 of t,he vicu t t.lm t, ·\:.:.a t,:rial .l\'b.gis'i,m ta nissed the :right (6) jucticiJ.l s.:.ri..,; 7 on n.:..s 0v.:.-:..:'1.0Ll v9yage, and. he:100 t,hG risk of sbi1?- wreck:'.:1g,. I ar:1 a;.ise.::isi 11{; ~l.1is wi i:ness posi -i;ivel;y 1 as there. was ,, :.,=::.-, was not.b.L,g t.ha. t discredi·:1erl b.im and 1 ! am sa·t,isfied, -1- t,b.a.t, t.he bole so made in t,he store well co'-1.ld :.~t allow 2. -~1ioycle ·ho .:,ass through, -2- t,ba. t, the hole was madP. from in sid.G S' as ~,h1; falling of brick:s oL:.i.side t show tbcl t, they v1e:re suc(tilmbing f:rora _.;):::esmu•e, o:r im1)act froL, inside, -:- and -3- t.ha. t, at the height. of over ~.en feet, ilte so.id. :.,.01s would bave been i.G:._Jossible io ·t;ie dug f:rom outside a,nd, -:-4-:- ~;~le j_nside 1 it ,-rc.~s eci,sy tc r:;ak, srnll bole 1 where it. was 1;,ecause of i;he assist.J.110e; :f:i:'cr.~ -:,;_10 .'1ec1Js of bass 0£ SUG,"'ar piled there i> In my ~ e-1.1 . -l;1,,, fae·!; t.bz, t. i-,::.c .--o-clown u c., i,e loc1dn_.,!' s cJ rs·i;em, t,he .s:_-a 1 . store .,.,.,,.1 ~ J.'-- loQlCfJ . 1 V ..I. I - - ... l;L .b.c.V .. 1v·· :10·:. b•·:,;n ::.ni".r:·:,fi,r~:cl ~;:·.·,:.,. ·(;~1e ::-1013 i:1 t,:1e s·c,o:::c no 11 • teing ei-io.'::gh for b:i.c~:-Jl'1-·r,o c;o t,h:::-o;.;1gl:, the hole lnving been made fro1:1 inside, ait.raci; an ir:::esist,E:i.e i!).fe:-,:,ence, ·i-,hat,, 'the whole ·t,:U:ng, was feignecl fo derail sus:picion t,o others a:1d -:·,::e conclusion t,;:B.i ·~he bicycle were st.olen in t.he course of·wo:cki11g hou:7r2/c1.~:,,- 1;:.:D,t,ever if; was, w:i.th tb.e partici.f)aiion of int.e:rna.J. elements is inevita"!:;le,. n~.P.:.'e was 1,horefo.re no st.ore breaking known to JJ:.~m. l 'J:ba t being t,he position 1 &nd I am sa t,:Lsfiod it, is 1 ·t,he position, t,b.e fact, si.ill rer.ia.ins the sar:1e, that, the appellani·, was found in possession of stolen 1Jroperty,.. '11he learned Sta t,e Counsel J still insist,ed, on t,he applica t.ion of ·t,~:e doctrine of receni, posses_sicn, to upholC. the conviction. But,, with great respect,, to the Cou.mslt the doctrine of recent possession, does not, create of:Zence; for ao poi:Yt,ecl out i.."'l t,he case of, DIRRC'l'QR OF iUBLIC PBOSnJ'i'ION VSs )q-TcrsER. (19.58) 3 yJ:..,L.R, -7)7 a.i. :Jage....::J.,§Q, it; is a.n aJJ_plica.tion of Qircumst.£.nt,ial evldenoe t tl1& t, une:r-J'laincd _possession of recent.1:v st.olen pro1Jertj," S&•t;,~ot,o c,n in::e:rexe, i,l:c,:r, ·:·,:1e 1,O~:::esso:r of :::L:o.t. j_iro.J:-:1:t.yt is .:,i"f.hcr 6t'..il i,y of· guil t.y recoiving 1 or sfoulil1:; i,he sanie,, Ju1e:_ as it. Has :pointed out 1 in Ro VS~ B.:U~ArtI S/O J.J3DJLL.fi-; ~1.,49) 16 EACA 84, if all tho circt.<.Eist,ames of the c~se 1)oinii 1 to J:10 of.her J:easomble conclusion, ·},he 1)l'GSWil.,:>f.ion* or inference can ext.and io any othc:;., o::.a.rz;e howeve:r 1x.Jic2l - ev-en storo brea.."ld.ng and si;ealing~ In t.:.1is cc.so, hTvt1,g ruled ou.t. ::rho20-:-brcaking, +,b.e appellant oou~ta. n~t. b0 convicted. a:::1 cJ.:i.:.r,sed; even unc:Le:;; 1 ths ovc:r capitalized doctrine. ~he ch:::.:rge avern ·:,lle 1)ic3 clGs wero sfoJ.en ~-oout, 9/7/1992; \:Cw::i~.~,_:i...10.'l 1 view of ey find.i!"lg abovo 1 iii r:iay be difficult io bo accurate as to when1 as to when they Here:.::. stolonfbu.t, t.he t.ro.th is t.lli:,t t,he appellani; was fol.ll'.l.d in possession of the san10, on the 11/7/19921 and. considering that. there was no direct evidence ,as fo ·who stole,. i.he iir~0 bGtween theft and possession,could still be reaso1nlly recent enought, as to attract.,. t,he applicat.io11 of the cloc-firine of ~eo0nt possession upon t,he appellant consier.i_ng tho q'..1an+.i\7 1o:r number cf thrc~ 1J:',c~;clG\lo1 11bis docixine, of reoGnt possession reises a prcsurnviiion of fact, t from e-.r.Lde:roe of recent po □ session of sfolen Provcrty, tl1t:'1°1i f,he accused, is 0Hhe1~ t.he t.bief 1 or guilty recci"V".)r, in t.ho abs•ntce o:f :roasor,able oxplu.rJL:·:,ion see ICAlf.l:lL.AL JIVEA which could :reasombly "be ·Lrue, i:rrespec~;ive 7 ~1hcd,h8r in fao t. the court bel:i..ev--es it or no·t,, if is, · --,:, fox +,he ...;rosocu•~ion i,o prove, cit.her i;ba. t. no+, ·i,::ur:, or +,bi,t, i•i, is inconsisi,ent, -wit,::i in...'1.ocence 1 or i".h.1 t, it, ufford.s no a_efer:co, ·\o the oba:rge 1 - Seo i,.Si--LIA. BTJJ LUZIRO VS~ R.. .(J.944) 7 Z.,L .R .. 9 ~ It 101101-m in li..l.w t.ho1,e:::02".-~ f ·till t, only in ·i·,he absence of an e:i~lanation, bt all ;J,Coi.1..s,10_ l--'erson; ·1·,l1:...'_:f, n12,y :reason:.:;)1:1 be tr•u'?, t.hat. 1 i 1; is safe t.o convj_ ct,. "T.Tt,,,,-'-, ;::; ·..,..- .·i .i.11e Jiil.JJ..-w-' v,•a~ 1, ,.,., .. 0· 1.L 1... ~-• u..,_J_l,) 1 -,-1~-,3 ,.,_::;:p -J. 3...,_,a l•.t.O n °-:" QC ,~..,-•~ ' f ei1Cv · ~ J give · n +he " f av ,,.,~t• t,ba-h he was found Josoenr.:don of m:ch st.olon p:ro.:_Jc::;t,y? On t,he evidence 1 _all was along the appGllan·i; b.n,,_ ~)GGn saying, and so clolonc.;_cd himself ,.L!ha.t. t,he bicycles weJ:o b:-ov.g:1,\ "ho ~:.ir.1 1 for cusi,od,7 by ·f·,ho 4th ~cused1 MAURICE B'ERIA. .MOSHA. 'lbe 4ib. c.ccL:.sod of co;__;_:;:-30 doi:icd c--vcr t,akil1..:_:; ·i;ho bicycle thoro 1 and swore so by the 1Jible c.nd. t,o Gode '.l~c 10~::cmd. i;:ciu,1 Ii.iagis"ira·i,o rejected t,he defeme 1 as not only lacking in credillili i,;;.', but, too, as miGsiXl{;' corroboration. 9.'b.e Senior State Cou.,"l.scl r was unfor·~._,1:rl.:.,-~cily of ~;he t.ric.::l Ihgisira.t,e 1s view•, I shall on my pol't, judicially a.J:1...d. au_·;·,:l.fully visit, t.bi.::: c:c..,.1..1ciD.l and :important, n:rea .. lliv~ scru-!-,i.110L1Dly st•.,_cti.ed tho eviclence 1 I remain unpcrsuadGd 1 iibat, the defGnco me ri -~od boil'l(:!,' -th:.:own ovn~boarc1.i -;vi tl:. a light, hooke Ri.rst. -l".he s+,ead- fc.stn0ss of i".he a1jl)ell~·.1;.t 1 :·.21d st.might, t,olling i:'.,11.,2, tbat he had t,no 4t.h accused bicycles, 2.nct that ,.~eiJ-e2 sl10uld not, not soai-ch) ·hill the presence i,hc:roat. 1 by t.b.c 4th accused., was scc ..1J.:cd1 was so U11fli:1ching, that it could not bave mcnn-t i;o sei"VG solf-iJ.rr,oreot,. In ray viow 1 he was not, wi t.hout, t,:rut,h. Tour, li.nl:..ing t,1:.8 4t,h a~ct,:ona_, to t.hc bicycles 1 like the appellani, 1 is t,ho VCT'J pronecu:hon, t,h:.:-out,·h i·.,.:1.4 JO},.CZHi M'.\LYA, who tcs't.ified, thu.s~-:- ,ion 1,110 10/7;i992 7 at, about. 1 P•ffit. I was at MJ.sa.nga - IT.hon I was so proccudiri&, 1 u:'.·,·.~ r;:· business, I saw 0 ne lorry ar:!'.'i-,ri11g :.:,i; tb.c 1)ar, .:111d. la+,e:r I saw people, t,al,.j_ng inf.a +.hr.J bu.r some bic;1clcs. Later t,here came one l,looill.~ 1 who asked me il -r,:1er0 wa.s a:qy Ji.<1ggage for hir.;., '.i.1.,.c11 1 J. ansuered him "libat actually, ~ laggagc WS:f~bcir-•. :.,· off-loa.ded., arid ·r,c_lccn into 'lihc bare went :::..113id.c i.l.ic bar, and t,all.CGd ·,·,o L:;c'3 Ifusanr;a @ Fest.o I-.hlowin~ Bot,h lfaca Fes·!;o H:.J:n1d.n 1 a.nd Mosh:i. are i-.hc 3rd and 4t,h :..-:::oused persons 1 in this case, respectively. I do :.10-:; lalo1-1 ·i;ho L1c1•.ke of bic;yclea, but. t.hoy were It, -was ·.-,hr: fi:rs·l; t.ime, I evex saw ;;ou pui,ting your lagg"3ges there., Bic;yclos weI'O b:rought fixst. by o·:.~_:er pco1;Jle, in a lorry, a.nd you came later., '11J.1ey fol cl me 1 i,ba t. these bi cycHis bcl onged to IJo;::b,.-.. 1 t.110 4t.h ace usocU1 Ancl if we arc seriov..s, _,ncl 1-1e sb.01.:J.d as jt.:.S"hice is o. serious mat,tert we si.all clso no~,c, i·,lJ.a·/-. D .. W.. 6 CIKRLPS SA.1.iSOlif Jl.filA.HJA, t.hen a CID off:!.cer 1 1-1lw -wer1i ·1,o ·i;lle 2,.,_:ipelL:.i.nt.s shop 1 is no·i; wi i,bout, ment.ion of t;l1ird a.ccusod 1 ·ho inq_uire more a."'uout. "t.b.e bicycles. W.:.1l~ t t,ho i;ltl:i.•c-:.. ac cuscd Gaid is he was not, in a p0s:i.t,io11, ·/·,o m:,3· argthing, un·hil 11hon the 4th accused, 1-rho lnd b::o'..'..,'.;>:l-. t,llo bicycles was there., - The third. to his sl·:.op .. r-;. did not. talm lo:nc, -~,he 4th accused arrived a·h -;,ll(; sl1opo '11hey s·:,ariioc1 to ·h.'..!.lk in chagga langu.0. 6 0.. I could. not, understcncl.. Le. ter, the fourth ·1;hird accused io:rn1cr ~1c.1.d blood pressure., I oid.ercj_ t,.' ..'3 ·;•ivo to go wi i.h me -ho w:1ore i.he bicycles ~ ) iJ:y: p .. i:' ., At ·;,;~o :::;~10p bGlo11ging t,o ·);he 3rd n.ocuscd, t.he t,l~c -r /-'-'· 11.!. .. sirnpl3r sskccJ. us not, to 'tn.lk t.o accusocl about. t,lr so 1J:i..cycles, ::1s he had ·1Jloc0.. )J:o~rnu~c.. He, fourth accused however, did not. ,J2•.31 t,l1:l ~., i.hc3· ·we:ro hi<J (fourth nccused) Posi1t hoxe 1 ii; is ec.ail:1 oosorv~.:i.bie bj7 a1-:zy- reo.cona.bly minded person, t,bat, 7 1-11.iilc it. is inco.n·;,es·;,::,.;Jl0, tbat, ·;,ho bicycles were found in the possession of i·,110 a 11pellD.nt, the yros::icEid.011 is dividedo '.l:·ba,t. is while such possession by t,2:le ay.9clL:1.i11; as est,ablishcd by i;hc prosecv.+,ion, is rec,s011£:.bly reccn·:;, as to a·:,-hro.ct, t.he c.9plic2,•::ion of t,hc doctrine of r0ccm"ii pocs0ssion, ·i,hc r.:aar, ;_J:ros0out,ion thrnv.gh ·hhc, evidence of P'Bc> r.nd Povfo4 JOACIIIK MALYA, sr:emocl 'iio have at t.hc same time, signed a prot.ocal wi i;h ·hhcdefence, t,o show, 'hl:iat, actually ii.he l.JicJ1 clcs were taken to the appellant. by t.he 4th acoi..u:iod. I_-concedc 7 t,bat i-,hc trial I1i.gistrato 1 was better placed to assess, ·:;1J.G witnesses oredibili ty • '11ha t. t.he t,rial Mlgistra'ho 1 is not. seen f,o :.c.J.ve passed judgment., on such witnesses, in p:::i.rt.iccl8.I' p.cffo4 <10, "In my opi11ion ..-· 1 cv:i.dcnc'3 wlri.ch is 1 (a) AdrnisGible t and (b) re;tevanii t,o :,:he Ovidenc01'.Teq_ui:dng corrobomiion, and if boliovcd 1 conf'irming H, in "t.he reqµ.ired par·••iculnrs; is capable of being corrobora+,ion ,,f t,fu t cviclc:'JCo 1 and when bclioved.i is in fact corrobora·l,iol-i.l1 Tb.exe in my view; no rnn,::ic formular for sc131inG -f,hc :J.bovo, ancl in oiil1or word£ 1 and in every d.2.~' lifo 1 if :nG is clou"b't,ful 1 whether or noi; believe a particular s·k.,<;<:r11011-li s Le is ·l·,oinptecl -ho look fox ether si.aiio1;:ents reln ting· -l;o t.m. t. pari,ic·,:J.ar ma i,te !' s to sc e wJ::.G-:-,l:.er it fits in wii,h -r.b.e firsi; ono · r.i.nd t,:.io bd.-'.,.,r ::.·:, fi~•,s 1 ·1,11,-, ')11<: iG inolin3d. to 1:.,clievc j_-r,,. In ·t,his case, oven if C(;Il'cbo:;;n·;.ion w.:;r;; ~csiro.,blo I of cc.urse 1 I maintain .::. ~ :- .::; i:.'l.ilr\t.ii, '.:.· ~10i,, -f,11ero 1-K',S nGvc:rd;h,,·1c-ss corro-bo::...\<ii?n b;y p .w o4, n.w~5, D.. ~r .. 6, _j,.bnt iil-:o biG;yclGs wo1•0 'b:roi.,i_g!:.·l, t,hc:rc by t,he 41,:1 a.ccusod 1,>0rson. But, io r0troa t, to t,b.c is in rn;y view ·i,:r:~'lio l.::i.w, t,h0 above cu.so law being d.<mo11Stmi;~~yo 011.l.--u:)1t,, i~1c.J.t wllG:ro 1 t.!10 Court is av_plyine; tho dociirin.c of :rocon'h ;mssc,,;s~.0:1 1 i:tnd is consi::'.or:l.:;g t.ho accused ex_plo.~tion, t.hc sane ·court,, s::,.rx.ld. -.:ioo.:r in mind. th::i, ·;.~,.:::,-I-. if,s role a+, t,bat, st.age, is t,o wei::;h w2lct.J.1c:r st:.c.i OJ:)lc7.r....:i/r.ion, ni.;l~:i; :rco.combly by i'.ruG, and is •consis-t.cnt, with innocence 1 :.1.nd acquit. if H is 1 o. r.id. no1, whothor such ezplai.:.l tion is corrvici1-i.'.:: t.o t,ho Co~i..rt t or -who'l-.hcr it is cor:ro boxa iiod enough. In -'•i,lJ 1 ' .. s o-'.1so 1 ' '• ·,,.i.J.G a._,iJOllc:.n,,s -!- defonoo supj_jo:c•:t ,Gd by Pa}T•4, D-;.i.,5 1 and D .. :-Ta6, trot, -l-.hc b2.cyclcs wo:rc bro~~11i tho.re b3i the 4th nccuscd .for si!o.ro.gc.1 went bosoncl being roa.sonably ·hrue. He bas ent.i t.1_e t,o · .,_., 1 • acqu.1,,1,a m, .,.110 a_ppoa.L., . is ·'1,.10:rG 1 f ore c:;. 11owca., ' . +. convic,,ion i.... d quas.ue ~~, al.au. 1 sentenco sot aside., · '..::l::.c a.p~Jolla11.t.·· ·t;o•·'G·c so·~. f:rce ~ess he is o·t.llcrai.nc legally hold. Dnli VQX!Od · t.l...ri.s · t3t.h"&t;y··--of-J'.lecerabc r 1 1995• JUDGE .... ; . .... -r .... , . c·~,c., t,llor). !10 .c.::::plicit.ly ~u demonst.ra"i.cd b:.1;13clf, t,o ba.ve squandered t.bat. oppo:r.<i~1.utlty. Bu:r, o..'l ra;y 1Jart, ·whilg ~ppor·Honing t.o myself t.he A~ . allow-:1ncs 1 ibat. I had. no o).:.::,ori,u.nity/put,i,in.~; ~_) .. w.,4_, on my cr0dibi1i•~1 sea.le, I find him cJ. v-cx~' un:fliohing wi-l.:1n:::::s 1 1-1ho uno.;cpeciGdlJ', pci I t oi.r(mmsfo.nces thrown u)on lJ.:'_m, ~ circu.t1B·k1nccs f:ron which, rhe coL·~1c1. rigl1t.1y and roo..sona.Lly forii1 a dcct:ot.ion 1 that t,ho 1::iioyclcs bclor1gcd t.o 4th ~ccusod0 . . tl1:J M:>ro, nl ·r,hot:l(;h r',, ;if A 1 :-::~~vo ...., si.·.oh oviC11ec, ---'":t.-. tl:to At:1 ;:;ccusE'd b,::-,~. -·• r,_o exarni1mtion t.o offer i1u.t.ia'i',cd b;y ·/;l;.1; 4·t.:J. acomlci:'.. bofo::·c, in tl:.s e.).,_,'Jlli.'~n-r.s shop, even 0ofo::c delivc:ry 1_ at a junct,u:.'G ~)'":fo:;:o ~-·,,er.4 car110 info ··:.~ic victu:.:-0 1 and to s.:;.y ·,-,:1at. PoNo4 collJ.d bavo cor~;iired li:dh ]).,ffo5, woulcl ·::;c the wildest speculation evf;lr . un.clcr . , fo.kcn., . A..l'l(]_ :.n·i-,crs·;;iY.JGl;y-, "iihe 4-~11 accused, asked the Police OffiC0J.' P.a .. 61 ,no+, t,o ·i,:-,1~: ·;,o tho .:',1J1Jel1.:.-..11':; about, -:-,hoy bicyclGs bec::.uae. the appelan·i·, ba.d,blood p:osssurc 1 but ons woL·J..c.l 112:::0 0::tp:;ct.ed this to come :from t,he appollunt. himself 1 if' tlw 4i;h GCCused ,cs :.101'. trying to pre-empty loud +.a119-:ng, by t,ho appol2.&11'i;. '.1!1ius w:1en 1 11e ha.vo ·i,::..c p:x,sccu-J-,ion e-..rid.0::::::0 1 supvor+.irig the defence to this oxt,ent.,: and. s'l,ill reject the defonco; t.ot.ally,wb.d, burden o:f proof, is tho appell.'.:l.nt, eJq>cciiGd. of ris a perti:o.errr, ~lcoiiion now. In my v""icw 1 it, shpuld be i;:rit.Gly known 1 i,:.:i::t, ·H1.e orus of .1)roof c::i.st upon t.he a.ppellant, even when i::.pl)ljl.i•::f·t::.o c~oct1,i::r..o, is a li:::)r:, o;.10 1 and that, the accused will ha-..ro discharged su.ch onLi.G 1 ·j_f by his reasorubl0 explanation, he introduces :rea.so1'£1iJlc doubt; in ·,,:.:-_.., ni:1.d.s of 1,l1e C0 uxt See ISMAIL A3Tu'LRE.ID:.!Ai~ VSi 9 R. (1953) a) F.ACA 246 .. 1'i.:'1d. <:\S if, was poill"i<"'d out, rigt.t,ly in the case, of LEONARD AR'J.'EI:JR B,".R.i:~-i' YS: :1, (1941) 19 KoL $IL, (2) 76, and Ro VSg SCJlilIA. .tUD ABFAI107I'.i'CIT 11 Cr. AJJ• R 4,5: 1.J.3IlJL S/0 Sil.LU~~ -\TR: (1967) FI.CoDo No., jQ1, . fo mc:1t.ion only ::-. :l:'G1-; 1 -;;ho t.est, in su.cn ca.nes z is whet,.l.J.er t.he exgl<1i1.t•hio11 oight. :t'C<:1.. s0:.-r.:;ly fo:uc: ancl is consistent wi i,h ir...nocence 1 Omo the above is a.ns·,1erei _posi"liivclJ 1 then acc1u.i•,,·i,£!l of t.J.:..e accused, is a 1 na:tural coriscc;:..1erne 1 es rivers flow j.l'l:~o ·1,ll.O soc., L"l my view, i,he appellant. . ' mamgocl 1-1i"l.h "!',ho :,1,ss:~~·;,~,;::.cc o~ th~ pro30_0L:·;;io;.1. to discbaxBe ihe 01us., 'l'ho 3+.a to Cour13ol 1 11ol'i.·:; :f\.n+.l::.er unfor1,L,1~toiy of cou:rse t u:rgir.\g C0 u:rt 'ho uphold tho cor.flt-.l.cirion 1 because ·:·J,.o do:Zoncc was not. corrobo:catcd., '1\his ,1i+,h respect, he.~:! ir.1;:1lic2.•i,ior..s1 of even a·i;t.aclri.ng a heavier burden a:f proof, u;;>o::1 f.hc aiJ.i,1Gllc.n-;,, Lms.1110 ·ho.hod b~' t!1c l,:i;w 1 as above domorJS·i;ra ted., •• But,w:i.•;;1,. o~;en greet.er rospect 1 t,o the 100.:.:ncd. Co ... ::isc1, such submission 1.. iro.i:)id,:i:lios L1c, in-i;o ~io:.':::::·:.ne,· whct,her~ t.he Ccc·L:uJ~l£ concep t.:'..on, of wlm:h . . ·,,:.'..th f,hc 18.wc cons+d:i.u·iico corrobc:..'a·hon7 is consonan·1, Wi thou·t, 1 p:t:of,:ssing orie;i:..1'..,li~2 of conccp·i,ion on t:.ie·~:.::i.i.tcr 1 ;:, sball seek assisf,_:_:-:cet f:;_,0::1 ·:.::.:e case ,,:i.' J/., · VSi KILLCCRTJG (19U) •)7 Cr., App,, 11. 381 at P•. 3c.~5~ i~1 1-1ir:..cl: i,ord