33 Comments in moderation

West African Court of Appeal & Privy Council

REX V. SALAMI ADEBESIN & ANOTHER

REX

V.

SALAMI ADEBESIN AND ANOTHER

WEST AFRICAN COURT OF APPEAL HOLDEN AT LAGOS, NIGERIA

 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1940

LEX (1940) – VI WACA P. 197

OTHER CITATION(S)

2PLR/1940/71 (WACA)

(1940) VI WACA P. 197

BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS:

KINGDON, C.J., NIGERIA

PETRIDES, C.J., GOLD COAST (GHANA)

GRAHAM PAUL, C.J., SIERRA LEONE

BETWEEN:

REX — Respondent

AND

1.     SALAMI ADEBESIN

2.     TIJANI KEREDE — Appellants

REPRESENTATION:

Appellants in person

Reece — for Crown

ISSUE(S) FROM THE CAUSE(S) OF ACTION

CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE – PROOF OF CRIME:- Burglary contrary to section 411(1) of the Criminal Code and Stealing contrary to section 390(4)(b) of the Criminal Code and Robbery contrary to section 402 of the Criminal Code — Appeal arising thereof—When may result in increase of sentences given by trial court

MAIN JUDGMENT

The following joint judgment was delivered.

KINGDON, C.J., NIGERIA, PETRIDES, C.J., GOLD COAST AND GRAHAM PAUL, C.J., SIERRA LEONE

In this case the two appellants were each convicted on two counts in the High Court of the Ibadan Division. The first count was for burglary and stealing, the second for robbery. They were sentenced, the first accused to ten years I.H.L. on the first count and six years I.H.L. on the second, the second accused to eight years I.H.L. on the 1st count and four years I.H.L. on the second, the sentences in each case to run concurrently.

They have appealed to this Court against these sentences.

On these appeals the Court has power to enhance the sentences if it thinks them too lenient, and we propose to exercise this power in this case.

The accused were members of an armed gang committing burglary and robbery, moreover the first accused had previously been convicted of Founding and attempted shooting. For the protection of the public they should be sent to prison for even longer terms than those imposed by the Trial Judge.

The sentences passed at the trial are accordingly quashed and in substitution therefor the following sentences are passed:

Upon the 1st appellant: 15 years I.H.L. on count one and nine years I.H.L. on count two the sentences to run concurrently.

Upon the 2nd appellant: 12 years I.H.L. on count one and six years I.H.L. on count two the sentences to run concurrently.