Ntanda Tondo v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 8 of 2005) [2007] UGCA 64 (18 April 2007) | Identification Evidence | Esheria

Ntanda Tondo v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 8 of 2005) [2007] UGCA 64 (18 April 2007)

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MR JUSTICE G. M. OKELLO, JA. \par HON. LADY JUSTICE C. N. B. KITUMBA, JA. \par HON. LADY JUSTICE C. K. BYAMUGISHA, JA. \par \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\i0\ul\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 08/05}{\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 \par }{\i0\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 BETWEEN \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\b0\i0\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 NTANDA TONDO:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\i0\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 AND \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\b0\i0\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 UGANDA:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::RESPONDENT \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid3607091\charrsid10163481 \par }{\i0\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 [}{\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 Appeal from the judgment of the High Court of Uganda at Kampala (}{\i0\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 C. A. OKELLO J)}{\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 dated 25}{ \super\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 th}{\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 January 2005 in High Court Criminal Session Case No.152/}{\insrsid3607091\charrsid10163481 02}{\i0\insrsid3607091\charrsid10163481 ]}{\i0\insrsid6376830\charrsid10163481 \par }{\i0\insrsid3607091\charrsid10163481 \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid16207680\charrsid10163481 REASONS FOR THE JUDGMENT}{\i0\ul\insrsid3607091\charrsid10163481 \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid3504477\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7091189\charrsid10163481 On 26}{\b0\i0\super\insrsid7091189\charrsid10163481 th}{\b0\i0\insrsid7091189\charrsid10163481 March 2007 we allowed the appellant\rquote s appeal, quashed the conviction and set aside the sentence of death. We promised to give our }{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 reasons later which we now}{\b0\i0\insrsid7091189\charrsid10163481 proceed to do. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid3504477\charrsid10163481 The appellant herein was indicted on an amended indictment containing three counts. The first two counts charged the appellant with robbery contrary to sections }{\insrsid3504477\charrsid10163481 285 and 286(2}{ \insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 )}{\b0\i0\insrsid3504477\charrsid10163481 of the Penal Code Act. \par It was alle ged in the particulars of the first count that on 12/o4/01 at Kazinga Zone in the Wakiso District, the appellant and others still at large, robbed Kavuma Joel of a T. V Philips 14 inches black and white in colour, a radio cassette Sony, a blanket, 4 pairs of shoes, a radio lamp, a flat iron. It was alleged that immediately after the said robbery they used a deadly weapon to wit a panga on the said Kavuma Joel. \par \par In the second count, it was alleged that on the same day and place the appellant together with others still at large, they robbed Katende Ibrahim}{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 of}{\b0\i0\insrsid3504477\charrsid10163481 a mobile phone(motor rola), a trouser}{\b0\i0\insrsid7367308\charrsid10163481 , a charger for the mobile phone, a Panasonic radio cassette, a flask, a blanket and cash 30,000/=. It was alleged that at or immediately after the said robbery they us ed a deadly weapon to wit a panga on the said Katende Ibrahim.}{\b0\i0\insrsid3504477\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7367308\charrsid10163481 \par The third count charged the appellant with unlawful wounding contrary to section 222 of the Penal Code Act. It was alleged in the particulars of the indictment that the appellant and others still at large on the 12}{ \b0\i0\super\insrsid7367308\charrsid10163481 th}{\b0\i0\insrsid7367308\charrsid10163481 April 2001 at Kazinga Zone Wakiso District they unlawfully wounded Masaba Fenekasi}{\b0\i0\insrsid11288108\charrsid10163481 .}{\b0\i0\insrsid7367308\charrsid10163481

\par }{\b0\i0\insrsid2753111\charrsid10163481 \par The case for the prosecution was that during the night of 12}{\b0\i0\super\insrsid2753111\charrsid10163481 th}{\b0\i0\insrsid2753111\charrsid10163481 April 2001 a group of people armed with a gun and a panga went on a robbery spree. In the course of the robbery a number of household goods were stolen}{\b0\i0\insrsid11821852\charrsid10163481 from different homes. \par The appellant was arrested and he was later identified at Bweyogerere police post as one of the robbers who was}{\b0\i0\insrsid13697645\charrsid10163481 wearing a green track suit. }{\b0\i0\insrsid11821852\charrsid10163481 \par The prosecution called a total of six witnesses. The defence called two. The appellant himself and the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Stephen Onenchan Jacan. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7367308\charrsid10163481 At }{\b0\i0\insrsid13176697\charrsid10163481 the close}{\b0\i0\insrsid7367308\charrsid10163481 of the prosecution\rquote s case the trial charge acquitted the appellant on the first count. She put him on h is defence on the second and third counts. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid11288108\charrsid10163481 In his sworn evidence the appellant denied having participated in the robbery on the day in question. He stated that he was arrested at around 6 a.m around Kazinga Zone on his way to Nakawa Pepsic}{ \b0\i0\insrsid11821852\charrsid10163481 ola plant in search of a job.}{\b0\i0\insrsid11288108\charrsid10163481 He was taken to Bweyogerere police post and later to Jinja Road police station.}{\b0\i0\insrsid11821852\charrsid10163481 He maintained that he was a victim }{\b0\i0\insrsid13514122\charrsid10163481 of mistaken identification because he was in the area where the robbery had taken place when law enforcement personnel were looking for suspected robbers.}{ \b0\i0\insrsid11288108\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid13514122\charrsid10163481 \par The learned trial judge rejected his defence and convicted him of aggravated robbery and sentenced him to death- hence the appeal before this court. \par \par The memorandum of appeal filed on his behalf had 5 grounds namely \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid13514122\charrsid10163481 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\i0\insrsid13514122\charrsid10163481 The learned trial judge erred in law and in fact when he relied on the uncorroborated evidence of P. W. 2 to convict the appellant in the absence of proper identification and hence came to a wrong conclusion that the appellant committed the robbery. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid13514122\charrsid10163481 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}The learned trial j udge erred in law and in fact and occasioned a miscarriage of justice when she ignored the glaring contradictions and grave inconsistencies in the prosecution }{\i0\insrsid13529082\charrsid10163481 case and convicted the appellant of robbery on very unreliable evidence.}{\i0\insrsid13514122\charrsid10163481 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}{\i0\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 The learned trial judge erred in law and fact and occasioned a miscarriage of justice to convict the appellant of robbery in the absence of exhibits connecting him with the robbery.}{\i0\insrsid13529082\charrsid10163481 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}}{\i0\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 The learned trial judge erred in law and in fact and occasioned a miscarriage of justice when she failed to properly evaluate the evidence and therefore ignored the defence of alibi raised by the appellant. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 5.\tab}The learned trial judge erred in law and in fact when he unfairly and unreasonably sentenced the appellant to death.

\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\b0\i0\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 The appellant sought the following orders from court:- \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\b0\i0\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 To allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the High Court. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}To set aside the death sentence and set the appellant free. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\i0\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid12394727\charrsid10163481 When the appeal came before us, Mr Byamugisha- Kamugisha, learned counsel for the appellant}{\b0\i0\insrsid6755429\charrsid10163481 ,}{\b0\i0\insrsid12394727\charrsid10163481 submitted o n the grounds of appeal as they were listed in the memorandum of appeal.}{\b0\i0\insrsid7372143\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid12394727\charrsid10163481 In submitting on the first ground, learned counsel pointed out that }{\b0\i0\insrsid14163995\charrsid10163481 the appellant was convicted on the evidence of a single identifying witness Katende, who was also the complainant.}{\b0\i0\insrsid11939909\charrsid10163481 He contended tha}{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 t the conditions were not }{ \b0\i0\insrsid16207680\charrsid10163481 favorable}{\b0\i0\insrsid11939909\charrsid10163481 to identify the appellant. The conditions are that it was at night }{\b0\i0\insrsid13661419\charrsid10163481 and the appellant and the identifying witness}{ \b0\i0\insrsid11939909\charrsid10163481 were strangers. He pointed out that the identifying mark was a green track suit which was not tendered in evidence. }{\b0\i0\insrsid13661419\charrsid10163481 The other occupants of the house were not called to testify.}{\b0\i0\insrsid12394727\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid13661419\charrsid10163481 He cited to us the case of }{\insrsid13661419\charrsid10163481 Roria v R. [1967] EA 583}{\b0\i0\insrsid13661419\charrsid10163481 where the court held }{\b0\i0\insrsid6431887\charrsid10163481 that it}{ \b0\i0\insrsid1191665\charrsid10163481 is legally possible to convict on the uncorroborated evidence of a single witness identif ying an accused and connecting him with the offence. The court went on to state that in the circumstances of the case it was unsafe to do so. The conviction was quashed.}{\b0\i0\insrsid13661419\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid6431887\charrsid10163481 Learned counsel further stated that the attackers had a torch}{\b0\i0\insrsid10579629\charrsid10163481 and later electric light was switched on yet the complainant did not identify the attire of the other attacker. }{\b0\i0\insrsid9068248\charrsid10163481 He submitted that the complainant visited Bweyogerere police post in the company of Fenekasi Mukasa (P. W.3). They found the appellant under detention. This witness tes tified that he recognized the person who cut him. He was wearing a black suit and the appellant was wearing the same clothes.}{\b0\i0\insrsid6431887\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid9068248\charrsid10163481 On the arrest of the appellant, counsel submitted}{\b0\i0\insrsid15817158\charrsid10163481 that the person who arrested the appellant (P. W.5) stated that he saw a young man w}{ \b0\i0\insrsid16207680\charrsid10163481 earing a tra}{\b0\i0\insrsid15817158\charrsid10163481 ck suit. The witness failed to identify the appellant as the person he arrested.}{\b0\i0\insrsid9068248\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7358656\charrsid10163481 Learned counsel contended that the evidence of Katende cannot be relied upon because it does not meet the test in }{\insrsid7358656\charrsid10163481 Roria\rquote s}{\b0\i0\insrsid7358656\charrsid10163481 case. Therefore, counsel said, an identification parade was necessary and there should have been some other evidence connecting the appellant with the crime. \par He further pointed out that the trial judge erred in convicting the appellant since the alleged stolen property was handed back to the owners and police records do not show that Katende was one of the people whose property was handed back. \par \par On ground two, counsel submitted that the contradictions in the prosecution\rquote s case we}{\b0\i0\insrsid9331997\charrsid10163481 re grave and should not have been ignored by the trial judge.}{\b0\i0\insrsid8415601\charrsid10163481 The complainant }{ \b0\i0\insrsid9331997\charrsid10163481 who was P. W.2 stated that he gave the robbers 35,000/= and his wife gave 15,000/= and yet the appellant was charged with theft of 30,000/=. The second contradiction according to counsel, was that Katende (p.w.2) identified the appellant as the one who was wearing a truck suit. Yet P. W.3 stated that the appellant was wearing a suit and P. W.5 said that the person he saw wearing a truck suit was not the appellant.}{\b0\i0\insrsid7358656\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid9331997\charrsid10163481 \par On ground three, learned counsel submitted that there were no exhibits connecting him with Katende\rquote s property.}{\b0\i0\insrsid4420231\charrsid10163481 He asserted that the first ingredient of the offence was not proved beyond any reasonable doubt. He also claimed that there was no proof that a deadly weapon was used. }{\b0\i0\insrsid9331997\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid4420231\charrsid10163481 The green truck suit which was the identifying mark was not exhibited. \par He pointed out that at page 60 of the proceedings, the learned State Attorney told court that the truck suit belonged to Kabugo who was the first accused and the case against him was dropped at the close of the prosecution\rquote s case. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid8339256\charrsid10163481 \par In reply, Mr Waninda, learned State Attorney confessed that he has found it difficult to support the conviction. He pointed out that the truck suit was central to the prosecution case and it should have been exhibited. The station diary (exhibit D.2) from Bweyogerere police post did not mention the offence with which the appellant was charged. He stated that P. W.2 might have been honest but mistaken. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid3214175\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 We accept}{\b0\i0\insrsid3214175\charrsid10163481 the decision taken by the learned State Attorney not to support the}{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 conviction of the appellant as}{ \b0\i0\insrsid3214175\charrsid10163481 the correct one. The evidence of a single witness who claimed that he identified the appellant wearing a green truck suit was not subjected to proper judicial scrutiny by the learned trial judge. The truck suit was never exhibited and there was no explanation for it . The attack on the complainant took place at night and there were other occupants of the house who were also not called to testify. Again no explanation was given. Although the prosecution has the final say as to what witnesses it can summon to prove its case, we feel }{\b0\i0\insrsid3223094\charrsid10163481 that in a case like the instant one where the attack took place at night and the identity of the attackers depended on visual identification by the witnesses, the prosecution}{ \b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 in}{\b0\i0\insrsid3223094\charrsid10163481 our view}{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 ,}{\b0\i0\insrsid3223094\charrsid10163481 cannot omit to call witnesses who were present.}{ \b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 Another flaw in}{\b0\i0\insrsid12399789\charrsid10163481 the prosecution case }{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 was}{\b0\i0\insrsid12399789\charrsid10163481 failure to hold an identification parade to ascertain whether the witness had made correct identification.}{\b0\i0\insrsid3214175\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 It was for these reasons that we allowed the appeal and made}{\b0\i0\insrsid6452127\charrsid10163481 }{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 the order for the appellant\rquote s immediate release from c ustody unless he was being lawfully held on other lawful charges.}{\b0\i0\insrsid12399789\charrsid10163481 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7166050\charrsid10163481 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\i0\insrsid12399789\charrsid10163481 Dated at Kampala this}{\i0\insrsid15758350\charrsid10163481 18}{ \i0\super\insrsid15758350\charrsid10163481 th}{\i0\insrsid15758350\charrsid10163481 }{\i0\insrsid12399789\charrsid10163481 day of}{\i0\insrsid15758350\charrsid10163481 April }{\i0\insrsid12399789\charrsid10163481 2007}{ \i0\insrsid15758350\charrsid10163481 .}{\i0\insrsid12399789\charrsid10163481 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\i0\insrsid11891588\charrsid10163481 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\i0\insrsid11891588\charrsid10163481 G. M. Okello \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid11891588\charrsid10163481 Justice of Appeal \par \par }{\i0\insrsid11891588\charrsid10163481 \par C. N. B. Kitumba \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid11891588\charrsid10163481 Justice of Appeal \par }{\i0\insrsid11891588\charrsid10163481 \par \par C. K. Byamugisha \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid11891588\charrsid10163481 Justice of Appeal \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10163481 {\b0\i0\ul\insrsid8339256\charrsid10163481 \par }}