RAYMOND AJUWA vs. THE REPUBLIC

1 Introduction I need to state at the outset that this suit is part of criminal suits that were transferred to this court by the order and hand of Her Ladyship, the Chief Justice dated 9 May 2019 in furtherance of powers vested in her by s.104, Courts Act, 1993 (Act 495). The suit was first called in this court on 10 June 2019; the lawyers had already filed their written addresses. Having considered the papers on record with the lawyers, I scheduled the suit for judgment today, 8 July 2019. The suit is a criminal appeal from the judgment of the Circuit Court, Ashaiman dated 13 January 2016. The court convicted and sentenced the appellant to ten (10) years imprisonment in hard labour (IHL) on what the court stated as proven charge of defrauding by false pretenses contrary to s.131, Criminal & Other offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The appeal was filed by counsel pursuant to leave for extension of time the court granted on 13 April 2017. 2 Brief facts The brief facts on record are t...