§ Mr. FOOTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the appeal of Mr. E. C. Bobieh Ansah, of Kumasi, in Ashanti, from the decision of the Chief Commissioner's court in Ashanti to the West African court of appeal in a criminal case begun in the Asantehene's court, the West African court of appeal disallowed the appeal on the ground that it has no jurisdiction under the Ashanti Native Courts Ordinance (No. 2) of 1935 to hear appeals in criminal cases from the native courts in Ashanti, with the result that Mr. Bobieh Ansah had no opportunity for lodging an appeal; and if he will consider amending the Ashanti Native Courts Ordinance (No. 2) of 1935 so as to provide a right of appeal in such cases?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am aware of the facts of this case. The jurisdiction of the Native Courts in Ashanti is strictly limited under the Ordinance to which the hon. Members refers, and appeals in criminal cases lie from the Native Court to the District Commissioner's Court and thence to the Divisional Court. I do not consider it necessary to amend the Or-1222W dinance so as to provide a right of appeal to the West African Court of Appeal.