FERRER LUWI INEZ RAMOS v PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

Case Significance

Ferrer Luwi Inez Ramos v Public Prosecutor and another appeal [2024] SGHC 245 was decided by Vincent Hoong J in the General Division of the High Court, which heard the matter on 13 March and 16 May 2024 with the grounds of decision delivered on 25 September 2024. The proceedings comprised Magistrate's Appeal No 9048 of 2023/01, the appellant Ms Ferrer Luwi Inez Ramos's appeal against her conviction, and Magistrate's Appeal No 9048 of 2023/02, the Prosecution's cross-appeal against sentence. The appellant had claimed trial to two charges for abetting by intentionally aiding the making of false declarations in connection with two work pass applications under section 22(1)(d) punishable under section 22(1)(ii) read with section 23(1) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (Cap 91A, 2009 Rev Ed) ("EFMA").

The District Judge had convicted her of both charges and sentenced her to three weeks' imprisonment for each charge, ordered to run concurrently, as reported in Public Prosecutor v Ferrer Luwi Inez Ramos [2023] SGMC 84. On 13 March 2024, in exercise of the court's powers under section 390(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (2020 Rev Ed) ("CPC"), the court amended the appellant's two charges to charges of abetment by engaging in a conspiracy with Ms Ribaya Noriza. The catchwords identify the issues as the EFMA statutory offences and the criminal appeal. The Public Prosecutor was represented by counsel from the Attorney-General's Chambers, including Karl Tan and Houston Johannus, while the appellant was represented by counsel from Shehzhadee Law Corporation, including Shehzhadee binte Abdul Rahman.