ALFRED YANKSON vs. THE REPUBLIC

This is an application for bail pending appeal. The applicant in this case was convicted after a full trial by a Circuit Court in which he was acquitted of some of the offences charged. This being the case, I must bear in mind the following words of caution in the opening statement of Taylor J (as he then was) in FYNN V THE REPUBLIC [1971] 2 LR 433 at 437: "This is an application for bail pending appeal. In my opinion it is a matter of great moment and of utmost importance and calls for very anxious and serious consideration. This is because it involves the proposition that a person who has been found guilty and convicted by a Court of competent jurisdiction and whose sentence of imprisonment has met been set aside must nevertheless be let loose on the community instead of his staying in prison to serve sentence which is prima facie deserved" (emphasis). The learned judge in that case made reference to several cases where convicted persons who were granted bail and whose appeals we...