The Appellant was charged with and convicted of armed
robbery. He was sentenced to serve thirty (30) years’ imprisonment. The
Appellant was dissatisfied with the decision of the District Court and appealed
before the High Court complaining that his plea was ambiguous and equivocal
because he pleaded guilty without knowing or understanding the charges against
him nor the meaning of plea of guilty. The Appellant complained that on the
material date he was unconscious and unable to follow the court proceedings
because he is a long case of mental illness occasionally suffering from
hallucinations. Moreover, according to the charge sheet the offence was
committed at Kongwa district while the was charged and convicted at Mpwapwa
District Court.