James Oketch v Uganda (M.A 58 Of 2008) (M.A 58 of 2008) [2008] UGHC 101 (12 September 2008)

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.}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14238676 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA HOLDEN AT GULU \par HCT \endash 02 \endash CO \endash MA \endash 0056 \endash 2008 \par }{\b\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 and \par HCT \endash 02 \endash CO \endash MA \endash 0058 - 2008 \par }{\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 (Arising from Gulu Criminal Case No. 910/2008) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14238676 {\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 \par }{\b\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 1. }{\b\insrsid12590321\charrsid6251362 JAMES OKECH }{\b\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 \par 2. CHRISTOPHER \par }{\b\insrsid5309047\charrsid6251362 LAGAI OYON ::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 :APPLICANT}{\b\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 S}{\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 /ACCUSED \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14238676 {\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 VERSUS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14238676 {\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 UGANDA}{\b\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 :::::::}{\b\insrsid12590321\charrsid6251362 ::::::}{ \b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 :::::RESPONDENT/PROSECUTION \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14238676 {\b\ul\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 BEFORE: HIS HON. JUSTICE REMMY KASULE \par \par RULING \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12590321 {\b\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab This ruling is in respect of two bail applications in this court}{\insrsid7472730\charrsid6251362 : }{\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 Number}{\insrsid7472730\charrsid6251362 s}{\insrsid1510454\charrsid6251362 56/2008 and 58/2008; both arising from Gulu Chief Magistrate\rquote s Court Criminal Case Number 910/2008. \par }{\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab In the Criminal Case Number 910/2008, James Okech, applicant in number 56}{\insrsid1527261\charrsid6251362 /2008 and Christopher Lagai Oyon}{\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 , applicant in Number 58/2008, are both charged with two others of causing financial loss c/s 269 (1) of the Penal Code. In the same case Christopher Lagai Oyo}{\insrsid1527261\charrsid6251362 n}{\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 is further charged with two other charges of abuse of office c/s 87(1) and conspiracy to commit a felony c/s 390 of the Penal Code. In this ruling James Okech shall be refereed to as }{\b\insrsid7472730\charrsid6251362 \'93}{ \b\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 the first applicant}{\b\insrsid7472730\charrsid6251362 \'94}{\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 and Christopher Lagai Oyon as the }{\b\insrsid7472730\charrsid6251362 \'93}{\b\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 second applicant.}{\b\insrsid7472730\charrsid6251362 \'94}{\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 \par \tab \tab The charges with which the two}{\insrsid8483706\charrsid6251362 applicants are respectively charged are alleged to have been committed between April and March 2008 at Amuru District Local Government}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{ \insrsid8483706\charrsid6251362 Amuru District. The first applicant is said to have committed the same by virtue of his office of employment as Chief Finance Officer, while the second applicant is alleged to have committed the charges}{ \insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid8483706\charrsid6251362 by virtue of his office of employment of senior personnel officer attached to Amuru}{\insrsid4860309\charrsid6251362 District Local Government.}{\insrsid14238676\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid4860309\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab The essence of the charges is that the applicants, and others on the charge sheet, in the performance of their respective dut}{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 ies of office}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{ \insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 w}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 h}{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 ile attached to A}{\insrsid4860309\charrsid6251362 muru District Local Government}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid4860309\charrsid6251362 created ghost teachers by helping to enter their names in the Teachers}{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 payroll and failing to delete their names from the payroll}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 knowing or having reason to believe}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 that such act would cause financial loss, be prejudicial to the interest of Amuru Local Government. }{\insrsid4860309\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab Each of the applicants deponed to an affidavit in support of his application. \par \tab \tab The first applicant, who resides at Lacor Trading Centre, Layibi Division, Gulu Municipality, is a family person with a wife and six children and three dependants. His wife is expected to deliver soon. He presented Mr. Ochola Patrick, a business man and a brother in law to applicant, and Mr. Lalonyo David, an accountant, professional colleague and friend as his sureties. \par \tab \tab First applicant was arrested on 20.08.2008, charged in Chief Magistrate\rquote s court, Gulu}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 pleaded guilty, and remanded at Gulu Government Central Prison. \par \tab \tab The }{\insrsid12940663\charrsid6251362 second applicant resides at Acholi Road, plot 22 Pece Division, Gulu Municipality. He is married with one wife, has one child aged ten and supports four other dependants. Mr. Ochaya }{ \insrsid545161\charrsid6251362 Gabriel, a programme Co-ordinator with Dyero Tek Community }{\insrsid12590321\charrsid6251362 Organization}{\insrsid545161\charrsid6251362 , elder brother to second applicant, and Mr. Ongom Apollo, Accountant, Gulu Independent Hospital, younger brother to applicant}{\insrsid16731594\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid545161\charrsid6251362 were presented to court as sureties to the second ap plicant. \par }{\insrsid12721069\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab On 27.08.2008 second applicant was charged before the Chief Magistrate\rquote s Court, Gulu, pleaded not guilty and was remanded to Gulu Government Central prison. \par }{\insrsid8858162\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab The second applicant claims and attached medical notes and communication from Dr. Engenye Charles, Ag. Medical Superintendent}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid8858162\charrsid6251362 Gulu Regional Hospital, that he is a hypertensive patient. \par \tab \tab According to paragraph 1 and 6 of second applicant\rquote s affidavit of 28}{\super\insrsid8858162\charrsid6251362 th}{\insrsid8858162\charrsid6251362 August, 2008, on 22.08.2008, second applicant was admitted to hospital and was disc harged on 26.08.2008. On 28.08.2008, while in prison, his temperature rose and }{\insrsid4527485\charrsid6251362 was admitted to Gulu Referral Hospital. \par \tab \tab It was submitted for both applicants that they be released on bail as they both had established residence within the jurisdiction of t he court and had provided substantial sureties. For the first applicant, it was submitted that the fact that his wife was about to deliver, was a matter for the court}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid4527485\charrsid6251362 to exercise its discretion and release the first applicant to prov}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ide}{\insrsid4527485\charrsid6251362 the necessary pre sence and consortium to her. For the second applicant, it was submitted that his grave illness, is an exceptional circumstance}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid4527485\charrsid6251362 justifying his being released on bail. \par }{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab The state opposed the applications for bail as no exceptional circumstances had been proved}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 and at any rate the state was ready for trial, investigations having been completed. \par }{\insrsid4527485\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab }{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 Any accused person has a constitutional right to apply to a court of law to be released on bail. This right is given by Article 23 (b) (a) of the Constitution. \par \tab \tab It is however not a constitutional right that every accused person must be granted bail. The court has a discretion to grant or to refuse to grant bail: }{\b\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 See Constitutional Court of Uganda Constitutional Reference No. 20 of 2005: Uganda (DPP) vs Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye}{\b\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 . }{\b\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 See also Constitutional Court of Uganda Constitutional Petition No. 20 of 2006 Foundation For Human Rights Initiatives vs Attorney General. \par }{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab While considering an application for bail}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 court has to consider the need to balance the cons titutional rights of the applicant together with the needs of society to be protected from lawlessness}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ;}{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 and the fact that }{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 the criminal justice system, an}{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 essential component of the Rule of law, is effective. Court therefore}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid4727271\charrsid6251362 considers}{ \insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 a number of factors, such as weighing the g}{\insrsid4727271\charrsid6251362 ravity of the offence, the }{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 risk }{\insrsid4727271\charrsid6251362 of the accused absconding}{ \insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid4727271\charrsid6251362 interference with the course of justice, the likelihood of}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 the applicant offending while on bail, indication of }{\insrsid4727271\charrsid6251362 violence or threatening behaviour by the accused, the status of the offence and the sta}{\insrsid16404085\charrsid6251362 g}{\insrsid4727271\charrsid6251362 e in the proceedings and the extent to which evidence p}{\insrsid10947298\charrsid6251362 o}{ \insrsid4727271\charrsid6251362 inting to proof of guilty or innocence of applicant, once that evidence is placed before court by the investigating officer. }{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid10778617\charrsid6251362 The court may also consider the possible penalty that the applicant may suffer, in case of conviction.}{\insrsid1335902\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid10778617\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab The court considering bail, must be conscious, all along, that the applicant is presumed innocent until proved guilty or until the applicant pleads guilty. \par \tab \tab The legislature in its wisdom, has, because of the gravity to society of some criminal offences, imposed restrictions as to bail in respect of those}{\insrsid10947298\charrsid6251362 specific}{\insrsid10778617\charrsid6251362 offences. Section 15 of the Trial on Indictments Act, Cap. 23, provides that court may refuse to grant bail to a person accused of a spec ified offence, if that person does not prove to the satisfaction of the court that an exceptional circumstance exists justifying release on bail. \par \tab \tab Section 15(2) (d) and (f) of the same Act}{\insrsid10375329\charrsid6251362 specifies the offences of abuse of office and causing financial loss as some of the offences w}{\insrsid10947298\charrsid6251362 h}{\insrsid10375329\charrsid6251362 ere proof of an }{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 \'93}{\insrsid10375329\charrsid6251362 exceptional circumstance\'94}{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 is required before applicant is released on bail.}{\insrsid10778617\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab The exceptional }{\insrsid6440512\charrsid6251362 circumstances}{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 that have to be proved are according to section 15 (3) of the Act, grave illness certified by a medica l officer of the }{\insrsid6440512\charrsid6251362 prison}{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 where applicant is detained}{\insrsid10947298\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 as being incapable of adequate medical treatment while the accused is in custody, or a certificate of no objection to bail from the DPP or }{\insrsid6440512\charrsid6251362 infancy}{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 or advanced age of the applicant.

\par }{\insrsid13703386\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab The first applicant has not proved any exceptional circumstance in his application. \par \tab \tab As to the second applicant, there has been an attempt to prove grave illness. There is however no certification by a medical officer of Gulu Central Prison, where second applicant is on remand, }{\insrsid10947298\charrsid6251362 to the effect of that prison}{\insrsid13703386\charrsid6251362 being incapable of }{\insrsid10947298\charrsid6251362 making provision for second applicant to receive }{\insrsid13703386\charrsid6251362 adequate medical}{\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 treatment }{\insrsid10947298\charrsid6251362 for his sickness. }{\b\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 In Miscellaneous Application Number 30 of 2003 at High Court, Kampala, Immaculate Lugolob}{\b\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 i}{ \b\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 vs Uganda: Bamwine; J. stated:-}{\insrsid13703386\charrsid6251362 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid12590321 {\b\i\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 \'93 In my view in a bail application of this nature, nothing should be left to }{ \b\i\insrsid10116787\charrsid6251362 guess}{\b\i\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 work. At this stage of the proceedings, what this court requires is information, not so much that the applicant is sick, because the applicant can give that information and has done so in her affidavit, but certification by a medical officer of the prison where the a}{\b\i\insrsid10116787\charrsid6251362 c}{\b\i\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 cused is detained that the applicant is so gravely ill that her condit}{\b\i\insrsid10116787\charrsid6251362 i}{\b\i\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 on warrants release from}{\b\i\insrsid10116787\charrsid6251362 }{\b\i\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 custody for better management of the said health condition. Such a certificate has not been furnished\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12590321 {\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 The above holding applies with equal force and effect to the second applicant\rquote s application. This court holds that the second}{\insrsid12585069\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 applicant has not proved to the satisfaction of court, grave illness}{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 ,}{ \insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 as an exceptional circumstance}{\insrsid12585069\charrsid6251362 . \par }\pard \qj \fi720\li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12590321 {\insrsid10116787\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid12585069\charrsid6251362 It therefore remains to court to determine}{ \insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 whether}{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 in the exercise of its discretion}{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid8520792\charrsid6251362 any of the applicants, or both of them, may be released on bail. \par }{\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid14909306\charrsid6251362 J}{\insrsid10116787\charrsid6251362 udicia}{\insrsid14909306\charrsid6251362 l discreti}{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 on is the power}{\insrsid14909306\charrsid6251362 of the court to act in accordance with the dictates of its own judgment and conscience in accordance with well laid down principles of law. Its exercise must not be arbitrary, capricious or unrestrained. It must be the }{ \insrsid12211217\charrsid6251362 exercise of judicial judgment based on facts and guided by law or the equitable decision of what is just and proper under the circumstances. It must be exercised according to the rules of reas}{ \insrsid9920542\charrsid6251362 on and justice and must be}{\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid9920542\charrsid6251362 based on judicial grounds:}{\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 }{\b\insrsid9920542\charrsid6251362 See Hon. Justice Benjamin J. Odoki: The Uganda Living Law Journal vol. 1 No. 1 June 2003 }{\b\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 p}{\b\insrsid9920542\charrsid6251362 .3}{\b\insrsid10116787\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid9920542\charrsid6251362 This court has held in High Court at Gulu }{\b\insrsid9920542\charrsid6251362 Miscellaneous Application No. 166}{\b\insrsid12260201\charrsid6251362 /2008: Bongomin Richard Akal vs Uganda:}{\b\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 }{\b\insrsid12260201\charrsid6251362 that:-}{\b\insrsid9920542\charrsid6251362 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid12590321 {\b\i\insrsid12260201\charrsid6251362 \'93}{\b\i\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 The}{\b\i\insrsid12260201\charrsid6251362 burden is upon the applicant to satisfy court by putting forth be}{\b\i\insrsid7742627\charrsid6251362 f}{\b\i\insrsid12260201\charrsid6251362 ore court a set of facts, beyond the ordinary consideration, upon which the court can a}{ \b\i\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 c}{\b\i\insrsid12260201\charrsid6251362 t, in the exercise of its discretion}{\b\i\insrsid9395275\charrsid6251362 to admit the applicant to bail\'94.}{\b\i\insrsid12260201\charrsid6251362 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12590321 {\insrsid7742627\charrsid6251362 The above applies to this application. \par \tab }{\insrsid9988755\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid7742627\charrsid6251362 The first applicant has asserted that his wife is about to deliver and therefore he should be granted bail to provide the necessary support and consortium as the husband.

\par }{\insrsid9988755\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab There is no affidavit from the wife of the applicant as to her state of heal}{\insrsid7413416\charrsid6251362 t}{\insrsid9988755\charrsid6251362 h, }{\insrsid7413416\charrsid6251362 and as to why, apart from the normal consortium that a spouse gives to the other, the first applicant\rquote s presence is particular}{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 ly required at this material time in particular}{\insrsid7413416\charrsid6251362 . There is no medical evidence at all to support the assertion of the first applicant.}{\insrsid9988755\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid7413416\charrsid6251362 Indeed court was not in any way given any particulars of the first applicants\rquote wife, such as names, residence, work and work place, age of pregnancy, and whether or not there are any peculiar health problems with her pregnancy. The}{\insrsid6829833\charrsid6251362 burden lies upon the applicant. This burden has not been discharged. \par \tab \tab As to the second applicant, there are no special facts, other than grave illness, which }{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 he }{\insrsid6829833\charrsid6251362 did not prove, for court to exercise its discretion upon}{ \insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 ,}{\insrsid6829833\charrsid6251362 so as to grant bail to him.}{\insrsid7413416\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid6829833\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab The offences with which the applicants are charged are very grave offences. That is why the legislature saw it fit to isolate them by section 15 of the }{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 T}{ \insrsid6829833\charrsid6251362 rial on Indictments}{\insrsid11100469\charrsid6251362 Act}{\insrsid6829833\charrsid6251362 , Cap. 23, from the ordinary offences where bail is granted on proof of the ordinary normal requirements for bail. \par }{\insrsid5140841\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab Both applicants have failed to prove exceptional circumstances or to}{\insrsid1770672\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid5140841\charrsid6251362 put forward a set of facts upon which this court can exercise its discretion}{\insrsid1770672\charrsid6251362 and grant bail to each one of them. The applications for bail therefore fail. Both stand dismissed. }{\insrsid5140841\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid1770672\charrsid6251362 \tab \tab Since the state is ready with its witnesses, the trial court is urged to commence the hearing of the case at earliest. \par \par \par .................................... \par }{\insrsid1704608\charrsid6251362 Remmy Kasule}{\insrsid1770672\charrsid6251362 \par }{\insrsid1704608\charrsid6251362 Judge \par 12}{\super\insrsid1704608\charrsid6251362 th}{\insrsid1704608\charrsid6251362 September, 2008. \par }{\insrsid9589062\charrsid6251362 \tab }{\insrsid12940663\charrsid6251362 }{\insrsid5590143\charrsid6251362 \par }}