REGINA. V. OTOO, YA WSON AND AGGREY

KORSAH Ag.C.J.:

The appellants were tried by a judge sitting with assessors, and convicted on two counts:

(1) Conspiracy to extort money contrary to sections 49 (1) and 394 (now section 413), of the Criminal Code.

(2) Corruption by public officer contrary to section 394 (now section 413), of the Criminal Code.

The prosecution adduced evidence to prove that the appellants demanded a sum of money subsequently reduced to £100 from the complainant by threats that if he did not pay the said sum they would report irregularities alleged to have been committed by one Owusu for the benefit of the complainant, and thereby cause the dismissal of Owusu, and also cause criminal action to be taken against the complainant; that the sum of £100 was paid to the first appellant in the presence of second and third appellants.

The appellants denied that they demanded £100 or any other sum of money from complainant, but said that they discovered certain irregularities which they threatened to report, and that …