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Citation
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Judgment date
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| November 2025 |
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Prosecution proved trafficking of 403.1 kg Khat: chemist analysis, valid search, custody and credible witnesses led to conviction.
Drug trafficking – narcotic Khat – proof of weight and identity – admissibility and sufficiency of Government Chemist analysis – chain of custody – legality of search and seizure – applicability of duplicate-sample regulation.
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21 November 2025 |
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Lack of independent witnesses at postal seizures broke the chain of custody, resulting in the accused person’s acquittal.
* Criminal law – trafficking in psychotropic substances (MDPV) – required proof of importation and possession via postal consignments.
* Search and seizure – DCEA/CPA – requirement for independent witnesses; institutional staff cannot serve as independent witnesses.
* Evidence – chain of custody – initial lawful seizure essential; broken chain renders exhibits unreliable.
* Evidence – admissibility of oral admissions – necessity of statutory caution and corroboration.
* Electronic evidence – necessity to prove linkage between mobile numbers/phone and accused.
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20 November 2025 |
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Whether the accused were unlawfully in possession of stolen minerals concealed in a vehicle.
Criminal law – Stealing; Mining law – Unauthorized possession of minerals; Doctrine of recent possession; Constructive possession and conspiracy; Expert XRF analysis and valuation; Chain of custody of exhibits; Admissibility and corroborative weight of cautioned statements.
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14 November 2025 |
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Accused convicted for stealing and unauthorized possession after prosecution proved mineral identity, chain of custody and recent possession.
Criminal law – Stealing; Unauthorized possession of minerals – Expert mineral analysis (XRF) – Chain of custody of exhibits – Admissibility and corroborative weight of cautioned statements – Doctrine of recent possession – Conspiracy liability.
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14 November 2025 |
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Breaks in chain of custody and loss of the original analyst report vitiated the cannabis trafficking prosecution.
* Criminal law – Narcotic drugs – Trafficking in cannabis sativa – Evidential requirements as to substance and weight under the DCEA; admissibility and conclusiveness of Government Analyst’s report (s.52 DCEA).
* Evidence – Lost original analyst report and scanned copy – burden to prove provenance and compliance with statutory quadruplicate requirement.
* Procedure – Sample extraction/sealing (Reg.16(f) DCEA Regulations) and presence of accused/independent witness.
* Evidence chain – Chain of custody; Police General Orders on exhibit handovers; effect of breaks/inconsistencies on admissibility.
* Criminal procedure – Role and evidential value of independent witness and necessity to call officers who handled exhibits.
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5 November 2025 |