YAKUBU SALIFU
V.
THE REPUBLIC
JUDGEMENT
This is an appeal against the Judgment of the District Magistrate, Nyinahin, Ashanti Region. The appellant was arraigned before the Nyinahin Distrcit Court on a charge of stealing, contrary to section 124(1) of the Crminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29.
On his maiden appearance before the court, his plea was not taken because the prosecution indicated to the Magistrate that investigations were ongoing and did not want any interference with their investigations. Their request was accepted by the court and the appellant was kept in police custody.
Subsequently, his plea was taken and he pleaded guilty. The trial Magistrate proceeded to convict and sentence him to 270 days imprisonment with hard labour. It is against this sentence that the instant appeal has been brought.
The facts which led to the conviction and sentence are as follows: The Appellant is a caretaker to one Alhaf Issufu, who rents out excavators. On 13/09/2015, a customer rented or hired an excavator from the Appellant…