SOKOTO AND ANOTHER V. THE REPUBLIC

NYINAH J.A.: This is an appeal against convictions by his honour Isaac Amoah, circuit judge, Takoradi, who after due trial, sentenced each appellant herein to a term of seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour, on 8 September 1971.

As against the first appellant, the indictment alleged that he had in his “possession without lawful authority or excuse, four (4) forged N¢10 currency notes knowing the same to be forged.” The same allegation was levelled against the second appellant who was, however, charged with “possessing... five hundred and forty-five (545) forged N¢10 notes knowing the same to be forged.” This offence is contrary to section 18 (2) of the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242).

By two certificates, exhibits L and M, dated 17 August 1970, and given under the hand of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, the prosecution established beyound question the fact that all those currency notes the subject-matter of the charge, were “imitations of a bank note and are not bank notes issued o…