In a dramatic legal twist, the High Court of Arusha has acquitted four individuals — Elias Zakaria, Rasuli Omar, Kennedy Elirehema, and Daniel Godfrey — all previously serving 30-year sentences for armed robbery and possession of stolen items.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Yohana Masara cited serious discrepancies in the prosecution’s evidence, specifically the mismatch between the stolen items listed in the charge sheet and the items presented in court.
The case originated from an incident in Ngarasero, within Arumeru District, on July 3, 2023.
Justice Masara declared:
“The appeal is allowed. The convictions and sentences are quashed and set aside. The appellants should be released from custody unless otherwise lawfully held.”
The ruling highlights the importance of prosecutorial accuracy in criminal proceedings.
