GYEDU AND OTHERS vs. THE REPUBLIC

JUDGMENT OF MENSA BOISON J. Mensa Boison J. delivered the judgment of the court. The appellants, thirteen in all, including one woman, were convicted at the Criminal Session of the Sekondi High Court on 3 May 1977, of conspiracy to murder, contrary to sections 23 (1) and 46 of the Criminal Code, 1960 (Act 29), and in respect of three men of murder, contrary to section 46 of the Criminal Code, 1960. Two of the appellants have died since filing their appeals. The victim of the crime was one Nana Atta Agyemang, at the time the Omanhene of Sefwi Bekwai. He died from gunshot wounds on 3 April 1976. It would appear that about a year or two before the fatal day, there had been differences of a constitutional nature, between him and a faction of his subjects. These eventually resulted in his unsuccessful defence against destoolment charges before the Western Regional House of Chiefs early 1976. From that decision, the deceased lodged a notice of appeal at the National House of Chief...