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CaseLaw

Adejobi v State (2011) CLR 6(i) (SC)

Judgement delivered on June 24th 2011

Brief

  • Unappealed Decision
  • Information in Criminal trial
  • Stealing
  • Witness
  • Conspiracy
  • Charge
  • Section 34 (2) (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act
  • Section 382 Criminal Code Act 1990
  • Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution
  • Section 438 of Criminal Code Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 1978
  • Section 438 of Criminal Code Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 1978
  • Section 340(2) (b) of the Criminal Procedure Law of Oyo State 2000

Facts

This is further appeal against the judgment of the Ibadan Division of the Court of Appeal delivered on the 14th July, 2006 which allowed the appeal against the decision of the trial High Court in part and confirmed the conviction of the 1st Appellant but reduced his sentence of 4 years imprisonment without an option of fine to 2 years imprisonment without an option of fine on both counts to run concurrently.

The undisputed facts of this case leading to the judgment of the court below are hereunder set out: By an information presented on 6/4/2000 by the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Oyo State Ministry of Justice, for leave to prefer charges of conspiracy and stealing, the learned trial Judge, M.O. Adio, J, (as he then was) gave consent pursuant to Section 240(2)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Law, Cap. 31, Laws of Oyo State, 1978, for preferment of a single charge of stealing against the appellants and another accused, one Sulaimon Adeyemi who later died during the trial at the Oyo State High Court. By an Order of trial court of 23/04/2001, made pursuant to a Motion On Notice dated 20/04/2001, the Respondent amended the existing charge to include a "Fraudulent False Accounting." Thereafter the trial commenced and the Respondent called 3 witnesses (PW1, PW2, PW3). The 2nd Appellant gave evidence for herself and called no other witness. After listening to the addresses of the respective counsel, the learned trial Judge, convicted the 1st appellant of the offences of Conspiracy and Stealing. He was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment on each of the counts without an option of fine. The 2nd Appellant gave evidence for herself and called no other witness. After the address of her counsel the learned trial judge convicted her and was sentenced to 4 years without an option of fine.

Dissatisfied with their conviction, the appellants separately filed a Notice of Appeal to the court below. After the exchange of briefs by both parties to the appeal, the appeal was argued. The lower court delivered its judgment on 14/07/2005 in which it unanimously allowed the appeal in part, confirmed the conviction of the Appellants but reduced their sentences to 2 years without an option of fine on both counts, ordered to run concurrently.

Aggrieved with the judgment of the court below, the Appellants appealed further to this Court.

Issues

Whether the 1st Appellant could validly raise an objection against the...

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