OFEI vs. THE STATE

JUDGEMENT OF OLLENNU J.S.C. Ollennu J.S.C. delivered the judgment of the court. The appellant is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church, and was at all times material to this case, the circuit superintendent in charge of the Axim circuit of the Methodist Church; by virtue of that office he was also the local manager of all schools in the district within the Methodist educational unit and others under the management of the said unit; his duties in that regard include payment of salaries of all teachers employed in those schools. He was brought before the Circuit Court, Axim, some time in November 1963, charged with 75 counts of stealing various sums of money, properties of the several teachers of the schools under his management. The case was adjourned from time to time, and on 15 February 1964, the charges were withdrawn and ‘fresh ones preferred against him. The only apparent difference between the charge sheet which was withdrawn and the new one preferred is the title; the t.....