ALI AND OTHERS vs. THE REPUBLIC

JUDGMENT OF ADINYIRA J. The first appellant, a blindman, was charged with the offence of stealing contrary to section 124(1) of the Criminal Code, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by the Criminal Code (Amendment) Decree, 1969 (N.L.C.D. 398). The second appellant was charged with abetment of stealing contrary to sections 20 and 124(1) of Act 29. The third appellant, a cripple, was charged with dishonestly receiving contrary to section 146 of Act 29. The appellants were arraigned before the District Court Grade I, Koforidua. The appellants were convicted on 22 June 1989 and were each sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour. The appellants being dissatisfied, appealed against the said conviction and sentence on the following grounds: “(1) the judgment cannot be supported having regard to the evidence adduced at the trial; and (2) the sentence is harsh and excessive.” The facts of the case upon which the appellants were convicted were that during the month of July 1988 the ...