Section 161, The Criminal Procedure Act, 2024

(1) The Judge shall, where, in a case tried with assessors,the case on both sides is closed, sum up the evidence for the prosecution and the defence and shall then require each of the assessors to state his opinion orally and shall record their opinion but the decision on which the judgement is based shall be vested exclusively in the Judge. (2) The Judge shall then give judgment and in so doing shall not be bound to conform with the opinions of the assessors, but he shall record his judgment in writing and in every case the judgment shall contain the point or points for determination, the decision thereon and the reasons for the decision, and shall be dated and signed by the Judge at the time of pronouncing it. (3) Where a defendant is found not guilty, the Judge shall record a judgment of acquittal. (4) Where the defendant is found guilty, the Judge shall sentence him according to law. 84 85 Addresses by defence and prosecution. Addresses by codefendants. Defendant entitle to compel attendance of witnesses. Delivery of opinion by Evidence of defandant. Rebutting CLOSE OF HEARING IN CASES TRIED BY JUDGE ALONE