[1979]DLHC1066 • December 8, 1979 • High Court
HARUNA vs. THE REPUBLIC
The appellant was convicted for possession of a large quantity (17,706 grammes) of Indian hemp, contained in four bags, contrary to sections 47(1) and 57(1) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, 1961 (Act 64) as amended. The appellant was young (26 years old) and a first-time offender. The prosecution evidence was overwhelming, leading to abandonment of the appeal against conviction.
read moreJUDGMENT OF TAYLOR J. This appellant originally appealed against his conviction and sentence for possessing Indian hemp contrary to sections 47 (1) and 57 (1) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act, 1961 (Act 64), as amended. The offence is a really serious one for the quantity of Indian hemp involved was quite heavy since it weighed 17,706 grammes. The hemp was in fact contained in four bags. When the appeal came on for hearing, counsel in my view very properly abandoned the appeal against conviction. The evidence in support of the offence of possessing Indian hemp is so overwhelming that I think the most honourable thing for any offender who is remorseful is to throw in the towel and abandon an appeal which any tribunal bent on doing justice, will, without hesitation, dismiss summarily. In the circumstances I dismissed the appeal against conviction summarily. The appellant, however, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment with hard labour. He is young and this is his first bru.....