Associate professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, Prof Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua has questioned the motive of Attorney General, Godfred Dame in his incessant quest to continue the prosecution of former deputy finance minister and minority leader, Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa.
The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame has described the 2-1 decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and discharge Dr Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa as “grossly unfair to the nation and inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse in public office.”
To this end, he said the Office of the Attorney General will file an appeal at the Supreme Court to reverse the decision.
In a statement issued and signed by Godfred Dame on Tuesday, July 30 said the decision was “erroneous.”
“The Office of the Attorney-General considers the decision of the Court of Appeal grossly unfair to the nation and inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse in public office.
“The Office will promptly file an appeal in order to erase the effect of this erroneous decision of the Court of Appeal,” the AG stated.
But speaking on Morning Starr with Lantam Papanko, the senior law lecturer warned that the move will send a wrong signal of witch-hunting.
According to him, the Attorney General’s reactions to the court’s ruling show that he has a personal vendetta against the third accused, Richard Jakpa.
“The reaction of the Attorney General is to add to the perception that he seems to have a personal vendetta, especially the first accused person. Nobody knows his real intention but we’re just looking at his conduct in the case concerning the plea bargaining issue that came up even paving the way for the judge at the High Court to Justice Afia Botwe to advise him to recuse himself from the case.
“And describing the judgment of the Court of Appeal as perverse, I think it’s something that shouldn’t come from the Attorney General. So looking at this case, and putting everything together, it is plausible to conclude that there seems to be something beyond merely prosecuting a criminal case. Which is probably influencing the way the Attorney General is trying to prosecute this case and which therefore lends to the perception, especially from the position he’s in, that probably he’s moved from the realm of prosecution to prosecution.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
