REGINA V. CONTEH AND OTHERS

The judgment of their Lordships was delivered by LORD SOMERVELL OF HARROW: This is an appeal by special leave against a decision of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone finding the appellants guilty of a conspiracy to accuse Paramount Chief Alfred Bockari Samba and others of having committed a crime, namely, murder.

The conviction was on December 30, 1953. On January 14 the appellants applied for extension of time to file notices of appeal, time having expired on the 10th. Leave was refused and special leave was given to appeal against that refusal. Their Lordships having decided to hear the appeal from the conviction, found it unnecessary to consider the refusal to extend the time or make any order thereon.

The present proceedings were a sequel to an unsuccessful prosecution for murder. On May 9, 1953, the dead body of a man called Fogundia was found within the chiefdom of Samba. On the sworn information of two of the present appellants four persons were charged with the murder. It was sa…