Kafui Agroh v. The Republic
2016
COURT OF APPEAL
GHANA
CORAM
- Honyenuga, J.A. (Presiding)
- Gyan, J.A.
- Suurbaareh, J.A.
Areas of Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Constitutional Law
2016
COURT OF APPEAL
GHANA
CORAM
AI Generated Summary
This case involves an appeal against a 15-year sentence for robbery. The appellant argued that the trial court erred by not considering the time he spent in custody before sentencing. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming that sentences commence from the day of pronouncement, not arrest. The court acknowledged that Article 14(6) of the Constitution requires consideration of pre-sentence custody, but found insufficient evidence in the record to apply this principle. The appeal was ultimately dismissed, and the original sentence was upheld, as it aligned with the statutory minimum for armed robbery.
HONYENUGA, J. A. The appellant and six others were charged with the offences of Conspiracy to commit Robbery contrary to sections 23(1) and 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29 as amended by Act 646 of 2003; Robbery contrary to section 149 of Act 29 and Possession of firearms without lawful authority, contrary to section 6 of Act 118 of 1992 Constitution.
The facts as stated on the 3rd November 2002, by the prosecution were that the appellant and the other convicts boarded various vehicles from Accra that were bound for Mankessim.
On reaching Eyisam Abor near Mankessim, they alighted.
On the 4th day of November 2002, the appellant and the other convicts armed with a pump gun, cutlasses and knives mounted a road block on the main Accra-Mankessim road.
By blocking the road, they stopped vehicles that plied the road and subjected the passengers to severe beatings and thereafter, robbed them of their monies.
The Police had information about the appellant and the other convicts on the road and sent a team of Policemen from Accra and Cape Coast to Eyisam Abor.
The inhabitants of Eyisam Abor in the early hours spotted the appellant and the others in the nearby bushes and they were arrested through the efforts of the Police and the inhabitants.
In the process, the first convict who was armed with a gun opened fire on the Police and the inhabitants and they also fired back.
During the exchange of gun fire, one of them died.
Upon their arrest, the appellant and the others were identified by the persons who were robbed on the night of 4th October, 2002. After Police investigations, they were charged with the said offences.
Only the first convict was found to be in possession of the arms for which he was charged.
The appellant and the convicts pleaded not guilty to the charges and were tried and convicted.
The appellant was on the 28th day of May 2009, sentenced to a term of 15 years on each count by the High Court, Cape Coast. The sentences were to run concurrently.
Aggrieved by the judgment of the trial court, the appellant has appealed on the following grounds: -“1. The judgment is against the weight of evidence.
2. Further grounds to be filed when the record of appeal is obtained”. Pursuant to leave granted by this court on the 10th day of February 2013, the appellant filed an additional ground of appeal thus: -“a. That the trial court erred by failing to order that the sentence meted out to the appellant should run from the date of his ar