[2002] UGHC 111

[2002] UGHC 111

The court found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. The evidence presented, particularly by PW4, did not sufficiently implicate the accused in the offence of attempted murder or any of the seven offences charged. The court held that it would not be proper to require the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2002] UGHC 111
Parties
Applicant: Uganda; Defendant: Abaad Aeko and another
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Judgment Date
8 July 2002
Case Number
Crim.Case No. 58 of 2000
Procedural Posture
Criminal Session / Ruling on No Case to Answer
Outcome
acquitted
Legal Topics
Attempted Murder, Prima Facie Case, Acquittal, Burden of Proof
Source Language
english
Criminal Law Attempted Murder Prima Facie Case Acquittal Burden of Proof

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Uganda

Applicant

Abaad Aeko and another

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Session / Ruling on No Case to Answer

  1. 1 Whether the prosecution established a prima facie case against the accused for attempted murder.
  2. 2 Whether the evidence adduced required the accused to be put on his defence.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. The evidence presented, particularly by PW4, did not sufficiently implicate the accused in the offence of attempted murder or any of the seven offences charged. The court held that it would not be proper to require the accused to make a defence where the prosecution's case was so weak that, even if the accused remained silent, a conviction could not be sustained. The court relied on the principle in Bhat v R., which states that an accused should only be put on his defence if there is a case to answer. Accordingly, the accused was acquitted of all charges and ordered to be released unless held...

Court Disposition

acquitted

Orders

  • The accused is acquitted of all seven offences in the indictment.
  • The accused is to be set free and at liberty forthwith unless held on other lawful charges.