REGINA vs. ZONYRA & ORS

The four appellants in this matter complained that they had been wrongly convicted before Scott J of conspiracy to commit arson, and (so far as concerned all the appellants except the first) of arson contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code, in that they intentionally and unlawfully caused the dwelling house of Gregor Amoaku to be set on fire. At the outset of the hearing, Mr. Crabbe, Senior Crown Counsel, acknowledged that he was unable to support the conviction in the case of the first appellant because of lack of evidence. With this view we entirely agreed, and we accordingly allowed the appeal of this appellant, quashed the conviction, substituted a verdict of acquittal and ordered him to be discharged forthwith. The evidence against the remaining three appellants was that they were seen together both before and after the burning of the house. At the time the house took fire the second appellant was seen to light the thatch with a match. The third appellant was seen using bur...