[2003] UGHC 70

[2003] UGHC 70

The court found that the Lugbara statement attributed to Nasuru Gille (A2) was not properly recorded and failed the test of voluntariness required under Sections 24 and 25 of the Evidence Act. The accused's evidence of threats, inducement, and coercion was credible and supported by inconsistencies in the prosecution...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2003] UGHC 70
Parties
Applicant: Uganda; Respondent: Major General Yusufu Gowon and Others
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
High Court Criminal Session Case No. 70 of 2002
Procedural Posture
Criminal Trial / Ruling on Admissibility of Confession (trial Within a Trial)
Outcome
objection upheld; confession excluded
Legal Topics
Admissibility of Confessions, Voluntariness of Statements, Trial Within Trial, Burden of Proof, Police Conduct, Evidence Act Application
Source Language
en
Criminal Law Civil Procedure Admissibility of Confessions Voluntariness of Statements Trial Within Trial Burden of Proof Police Conduct Evidence Act Application

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Parties

Uganda

Applicant

Major General Yusufu Gowon and Others

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Trial / Ruling on Admissibility of Confession (trial Within a Trial)

  1. 1 Whether the Lugbara statement attributed to Nasuru Gille (A2) amounts to a confession under the Evidence Act.
  2. 2 Whether the statement was made voluntarily and is admissible in evidence against the accused.
  3. 3 Whether the prosecution discharged the burden of proving voluntariness beyond reasonable doubt.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the Lugbara statement attributed to Nasuru Gille (A2) was not properly recorded and failed the test of voluntariness required under Sections 24 and 25 of the Evidence Act. The accused's evidence of threats, inducement, and coercion was credible and supported by inconsistencies in the prosecution witnesses' testimonies. The process by which the statement was recorded was unorthodox, and the court could not be certain that the statement reflected the accused's own words rather than those of the police officer. The prosecution failed to discharge the burden of proving voluntariness beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the statement was excluded from evidence.

Court Disposition

objection upheld; confession excluded

Orders

  • The Lugbara statement attributed to Nasuru Gille (A2) is rejected and excluded from evidence.