Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has cautioned individuals who make commentary on high-profile criminal cases in the country to refrain from such acts.
According to him, his outfit has observed with serious concern the increased tendency for various persons, including members of the legal profession of considerable standing, to run “extremely prejudicial commentary” on cases pending before the courts.
He revealed that the cases which have been the subject of unwarranted public commentary include but are not limited to: Republic vrs. James Gyakye-Quayson; Republic vrs. Dr Stephen Opuni; and two Others and Republic vrs. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Others.
“The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, in the discharge of his duty to protect the administration of justice from abuse, hereby entreats the general public to permit the streams of justice to flow freely and uncontaminated by undue comments and pressure on the courts.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame
Mr Dame indicated that while respecting the freedom of all persons in Ghana to comment on any matter including cases pending in court, he is aware that much of the recent commentary on many of the so-called high-profile criminal cases “transgresses permissible” limits of free speech.
Additionally, he highlighted that the comments also unduly interferes with the work of State Prosecutors performing their constitutional function of prosecuting crime in Ghana and tends to put unnecessary pressure on the courts.
To this end, the Attorney-General reminded Ghanaians of the principle of the equality of all persons before the law enshrined in Article 17(1) of the Constitution.
“No person living in Ghana, citizen or non-citizen, is above the laws of Ghana or immune from an application of same. The attorneys-general’s constitutional responsibility for the “initiation and conduct of all prosecutions of criminal offences” implies a duty to prosecute a crime committed in Ghana, after proper investigations have been conducted, irrespective of the political, race, colour, ethnic, religion, economic or social status of the culprit.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame
State Attorneys exposed to severe risks
Furthermore, he noted that State Attorneys assisting the Attorney-General in the performance of the “hallowed” constitutional mandate, operate under extreme pressure and are exposed to severe risks. He explained that they have the right to prosecute cases freely in a court of law just as private legal practitioners enjoy a right to defend their clients, free from abuse and attacks on their character.
“The decision to prefer a charge against an accused person is not made on the basis of a person’s political status, social or economic standing but on the strength of evidence subject to the scrutiny of the courts. An acquittal of a person by the courts does not imply malice on the part of the Republic in the filing of a charge. The perception that a crime committed by a person of high political standing in society should not be prosecuted is dangerous for society and must not be countenanced.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame
Subsequently, Mr Dame stated that his Office has observed that many of the recent comments by various persons on some criminal matters, particularly those mentioned in the media, clearly exceed the bounds of acceptable speech as they seek to disparage prosecutors in the eyes of the public and frustrate prosecution of those cases. He indicated that some of the comments are orchestrated to pervert the course of justice and/or prejudice the fair hearing and determination of the cases.
Owing to this, he cautioned that no immunity is conferred by a person’s position in Parliament, the Judiciary, Traditional Authority, the Bar, or any official position, from the consequences of an interference in the administration of justice or an attempt to overreach a judgment to be delivered by the court in any matter.
“We must respect due process.”
Godfred Yeboah Dame
READ ALSO: Dormaahene’s Comment On Gyakye Quayson Trial Is Wrong And Senseless- Sam Okudzeto
