THE REPUBLIC vs ALHASSAN AWUDU & ANOR

On December 10, 2024, appellants Alhassan Awudu and Isaac Opoku appealed against their conviction and 2-year sentences, arguing that they were coerced into pleading guilty and that the trial court did not follow proper procedures. The appellate court reviewed the case, noting that the appellants were convicted by the District Court Nkawkaw for conspiracy to commit stealing and stealing. The appellants claimed their constitutional rights were breached as the trial court did not explain the charges in their preferred language, and their guilty plea was not independently made. The appellate court dismissed these claims, finding no substantial miscarriage of justice in the conviction. However, the court agreed with the argument that the 2-year sentence was excessive and reduced the sentence to 6 months imprisonment per charge, to run concurrently. The verdict was adjusted to fit the circumstances more appropriately, considering both mitigating factors such as their youthfulness and first-time offender status, and aggravating factors such as the nature of their offense involving a breach of trust. The appeal succeeded in part, adjusting the sentence while upholding the conviction.