[1977]DLHC1350 • May 12, 1977 • High Court
LAWSON vs. THE REPUBLIC
The appellant, Lawson, was charged with dishonestly receiving National Development Bond Savings stamps allegedly stolen by Charles McClinton. The prosecution's evidence included a search of the appellant's office and house where various savings stamps were found, and a statement by McClinton implicating the appellant. The appellant denied receiving any stolen stamps, and McClinton later retracted his statement, claiming it was made under police duress.
read moreJUDGMENT OF TAYLOR J. The appellant in this case was arraigned before the circuit court on 21 October 1963 on a charge of dishonestly receiving contrary to section 146 of the Criminal Code, 1960 (Act 29). The particulars of offence are as follows: “Emmanuel Lamptey Lawson, between January 1962 and August 1963 in Accra within the jurisdiction of this court dishonestly received from one Charles McClinton a quantity of National Development Bond Savings, stamps which you know had been obtained by a crime namely stealing.” The appellant was jointly charged with ten other persons. He was charged with receiving in the sixth count and the said Charles McClinton referred to in the particulars of offence was charged with stealing £G92 10s. worth of National Development Bond Savings stamps in count (5) and these are the stamps in respect of which it would seem from the evidence he was charged with receiving in the sixth count. The other nine persons faced, inter alia, v...