dpp vs owden kassanja others 2011 tzca 170 18 november 2011

dpp vs owden kassanja others 2011 tzca 170 18 november 2011

The District Court of Arusha lacked jurisdiction to try the economic offence as the D.P.P.'s certificate specified trial by a Court of a Resident Magistrate; thus, all proceedings and judgments below are nullified. Whether to prosecute afresh is left to the D.P.P.'s discretion, considering the interests of justice.

Citation
dpp vs owden kassanja others 2011 tzca 170 18 november 2011
Parties
Appellant: THE D.P.P.; Respondent: Owden Kasanja; Respondent: Ramadhani Nyonyi; Respondent: Mrs. Eva Msamo; Respondent: Zuhura Macha Mnyimwa; Respondent: Lt. Matoke Musabi Muniro; Respondent: Zuhura Mbulu; Respondent: Vitus Henry Mhagama; Respondent: Magrareth Joyce Kumalija; Respondent: Evarist Muze; Respondent: Lucas Masigazwa
Court
TZCA
Jurisdiction
Tanzania
Judgment Date
18 November 2011
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Ruling on Appeal
Outcome
Appeal allowed in part; proceedings and judgments below nullified and set aside; decision on retrial left to D.P.P.'s discretion.
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction, Retrial, Economic Crimes, Public Service Offences
Source Language
English
Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Jurisdiction Retrial Economic Crimes Public Service Offences

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Parties

THE D.P.P.

Appellant

Owden Kasanja

Respondent

Ramadhani Nyonyi

Respondent

Mrs. Eva Msamo

Respondent

Zuhura Macha Mnyimwa

Respondent

Lt. Matoke Musabi Muniro

Respondent

Zuhura Mbulu

Respondent

Vitus Henry Mhagama

Respondent

Magrareth Joyce Kumalija

Respondent

Evarist Muze

Respondent

Lucas Masigazwa

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Ruling on Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the District Court of Arusha had jurisdiction to try economic offences under the Economic and Organised Crimes Control Act, 1984
  2. 2 Whether a retrial should be ordered after nullification of proceedings for want of jurisdiction

Ratio Decidendi

The District Court of Arusha lacked jurisdiction to try the economic offence as the D.P.P.'s certificate specified trial by a Court of a Resident Magistrate; thus, all proceedings and judgments below are nullified. Whether to prosecute afresh is left to the D.P.P.'s discretion, considering the interests of justice.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed in part; proceedings and judgments below nullified and set aside; decision on retrial left to D.P.P.'s discretion.

Orders

  • Proceedings and judgments of the District Court and High Court quashed and set aside.
  • Decision to prosecute afresh left to the D.P.P. under Article 59B(4) of the Constitution.