(ICCPR),32 and determined that the right to defence includes the right to be
provided with free legal assistance.33
99. In the instant case, the Court observes that although it is only the Second
Applicant who alleges the violation of his right to legal assistance, the record
shows that both the First and Second Applicants were not represented by
Counsel during the domestic proceedings. They both faced a serious
charge of armed robbery carrying a minimum thirty (30) years of prison
sentence. Yet, they were not informed of their right to legal assistance. The
Court further notes that, the Respondent State did not dispute that the
Applicants were not provided legal assistance although they were indigent
and were charged with grave offences.
100. The Court has established that where accused persons are charged with
serious offences which carry heavy sentences and they are indigent, free
legal assistance should be provided as of right, whether or not the accused
persons request for it.34
101. The Court has also held that, the duty to provide free legal assistance to
indigent persons facing serious charges which carry a heavy penalty is for
both the trial and appellate stages.35 States should, therefore, automatically
grant legal assistance as long as the interest of justice require, irrespective
of whether an applicant has not requested for it.
102. In the instant case, the Court is of the considered view that given their
circumstances, the interests of justice ought to have been considered to
provide the Applicants with legal assistance throughout their trial and
appeals.
32
The Respondent State became a State Party to the ICCPR on 11 June 1976.
Thomas v. Tanzania, (merits), § 114; Isiaga v. Tanzania (merits) supra, § 72; Kennedy Owino Onyachi
and Njoka v. Tanzania (merits) (28 September 2017) 2 AfCLR 65, § 104.
34Thomas v. Tanzania (merits), ibid, § 123; Isiaga v. Tanzania, ibid, § 78; Kennedy Owino Onyachi and
Njoka v. Tanzania, ibid, §§ 104 and 106.
35 Thomas v. Tanzania (merits), § 124; Wilfred Onyango Nganyi 9 Others v. United Republic of Tanzania
(merits) (18 March 2016) 1 AfCLR 507, § 183.
33
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