3/ The allegation concerning the defense of Alibi
i)
Applicants' Submission
90. The Applicants argue that their right to respect for the presumption of innocence
under Article 7 (1) (b) of the Charter (sic) was violated because both the Court
of Appeal and the High Court arbitrarily rejected their defense of alibi. 17
91. The Applicants complain that they submitted evidence attesting that they had
never been to Tanzania before their extradition and they were in Kenya on the
day and at the time the crime allegedly was committed. The Applicants assert
that both the High Court and the Court of Appeal also acknowledged, in their
respective judgments, that the passports of the Applicants show nothing
suggesting their travel to Tanzania on the day of the crime. The Applicants
allege that, this notwithstanding and even though no corroborating evidence
was adduced, both Courts disregarded their defense of alibi on a wrong
assumption that the Applicants could have used illegal routes ("panya routes")
(to enter Tanzania and this would not have been reflected on their passports.
ii)
Respondent's Submission
92. The Respondent has not made any submissions on this allegation.
iii)
The Court's Assessment
93. The Court notes that an alibi is an important instrument of evidence for one's
defense. The defense of alibi is implicit in the right of a fair trial and should be
thoroughly examined and possibly set aside, prior to a guilty verdict. 18 In its
judgment in Mohamed Abubakari v Tanzania, this Court observed that:
"Where an alibi is established with certitude, it can be decisive on the
determination of the guilt of the accused. This issue was all the more crucial
especially as, in the instant case, the indictment of the Applicant relied on the
statements of a single witness, and that no identification parade was
conducted."19
17 Rejoinder p. 9
18 Abubakari judgment, para. 192
19 Ibid, para. 191
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