COP v. G. A. ANKRAH, NASER NUMER

This joint judgment was delivered by Chief Justice KINGDON of Nigeria, Chief Justice PETRIDES of the Gold Coast, and Justice STROTHER-STEWART. The case involved multiple appellants in a criminal matter, including a first accused whose record mentioned “3 previous convictions.” The appellate bench affirmed the decision of the court below on all points, expressly adopting the trial judge’s reasoning. The court highlighted a procedural and evidentiary concern: the record did not state whether the first accused admitted those prior convictions or how they were proved. The judges clarified proper practice: ask the accused if he admits the convictions and record it; if he does not, the convictions must be properly proved and the proof recorded. Offering this guidance for future cases, the court concluded by dismissing all the appeals.