who is under the age of eighteen (18) years.12 The Court of Appeal however
indicated that the District Court had subsequently corrected the error by
charging the Applicant with the correct charge and, therefore, the Applicant
was convicted under the right charge.
58. Consequently, the Court finds that the conduct of the Applicant’s trial does
not disclose any manifest error or miscarriage of justice to the Applicant.
The Court, therefore, dismisses the Applicant’s allegation on this point.
B. Allegation related to the evidence of the complainant
59. The Applicant argues that the evidence of the complainant was wrongfully
taken on oath and relied upon, since the victim was twelve (12) years old
and she was not asked whether she understood the nature of an oath.
60. The Respondent State contends that the District Court conducted the voir
dire proceedings13 as required by Section 127(2) and (3) of the Evidence
Act 2002 and found that the complainant was able to distinguish between
truth and lies. The Respondent State avers that although the appellate
courts were not convinced that the voir dire proceedings were properly
undertaken, they found that the other evidence adduced was sufficient to
convict the Applicant.
***
61. Article 7(1) of the Charter provides that “(e)very individual shall have the
right to have his cause heard …”
62. This Court has in the past noted “… that a fair trial requires that the
imposition of a sentence in a criminal offence, and in particular a heavy
prison sentence, should be based on strong and credible evidence. That is
12
Section 130(2) of the Penal Code (2002).
This is a procedure conducted by a court where it assesses whether a child of tender years is capable
of comprehending the nature and obligation an oath.
13
14