TIDURI vs. THE REPUBLIC

The accused was arraigned before the District Court Grade II, Walewale on a charge of causing harm, contrary to section 69 of the Criminal Code, 1960 (Act 29). The facts of the case as can be gathered from the entire record were as follows: The accused has a son who was married by custom to one Maria, the daughter of one Sulemana Wudana who testified for the defence at the trial. This girl Maria, the story continues, was abducted by the complainant who now lives with her. To cap it all, the defence alleged that the complainant has made the accused’s son whose wife he had snatched mad. Apparently, as he himself said on oath, the accused became aggrieved at the agony of his son losing his lawful wife and getting mad to boot. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was that the complainant has been beating the children of the accused at school. This is the background to this case. However, the prosecution witness did not accept these facts. The prosecution’s story was that prior ...