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President Akuffo Addo has called on judges handling high profile criminal cases to expedite proceedings to ensure justice is served the good people of Ghana. He was speaking at a forum to mark International Anti-Corruption day and anti-corruption week in Accra on Friday when he made that claron call.
According to the president who is also a lawyer, it was surprising that low profile criminal cases are completed in a matter of six months or less but those involving political actors linger for years if not decades.
This attitude of some judges do not help to serve the good people of Ghana the needed justice they deserve after millions of cedis belonging to the state had been stolen.
“Currently, the state vs Dr. Opuni, the state vs Collins Dauda and others are ongoing. A total of over GHC 800 million was misappropriated through these individuals.
The Government expect that these cases will be completed in good time so Ghanaians will get the much needed justice”, the president was captured by Joynews Pulse saying today.
The commander in chief of the Ghana Armed Forces said the attorney general was drafting a bill which will be laid before parliament soon which when passed into law will shorten the period used in sitting on so called high profile cases. He maintained that justice must only be served but must be served in good time.
“Fair trial does not only lie in justice being served. Justice being served in good time is part of fair trial”, Nana Addo stated.
He however refused to accept the clearing agent tag. He said it is not his responsibility to prosecute his appointees. He can only refer suspected corrupt appointees to the appropriate agencies.
Dr. Stephen Opuni and Seidu Agongo are standing trial for their involvement in a deal with Agricult to supply Lithovit fertilizer to farmers in a COCOBOD contract at a cost of GHC 200m.
Collins Dauda on the other hand is being charged with four others over the $200m Segleme housing project.
It will be recalled that during the supreme court petition, the judges kept reminding lawyers of the petitioner that they were bound to rule on the petition within a restricted time.
Lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata who wasn’t happy asked the judges not to sacrifice justice for expedition. This term has since being added to the legal language in Ghana.
Let’s know your thoughts on this subject.
CitizenOne
From Opera News
