REX
V.
YAW KUMI

Smith, Ag. C.J. In this case Yaw Kumi appeals to this Court against his conviction at the Assizes at Accra, on the 27th January, 1948, by His Honour the Chief Justice of receiving stolen property. The appellant had been indicted with eight others on charges of housebreaking and stealing, charges on which these eight co-defendants had been found guilty. The present appellant was found not guilty on the charge of housebreaking and stealing, but in accordance with provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure was found guilty of receiving stolen property.

The only ground of appeal of any substance is as follows:-

“The learned trial Judge misdirected himself and failed to direct the assessors as to the significance of the silence of an accused person when charged with or accused of an offence.”

The facts of the case for the Crown are briefly as follows. On the 26th November, 1947, in the night, the shop of one Christiana Azu, at Accra, was broken into and a large quantity of prints and other …