KEJI OMOTOSHO vs. THE REPUBLIC

JUDGMENT The Appellant herein, Keji Omotosho was a 20-year old Nigerian national who lived at Okaishie, Accra. On 28th October 2015 at about 2am, the Complainant saw the Appellant carrying two heavy bags at Circle, Accra. The Complainant, suspecting the bags to contain stolen goods demanded that the Appellant opened same. The Appellant refused to do so and instead attempted to board a trotro vehicle but was prevented. With the assistance of some bystanders, the Appellant was compelled to open the bags which revealed 14 parcels of compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. The Appellant was subsequently arrested and handed over to the Police together with the parcels of the compressed leaves. In the Investigation Cautioned Statement, the Appellant stated that he was hired by one “Alaja” to convey the load to Okaishie, Accra. The Appellant was arraigned before the court below and upon his plea of guilty, he was convicted and sentenced to eleven (11) years of imprisonment I...