Supreme Court Nominee, Justice Gbiel Simon Suurebaareh has affirmed that individuals who are wrongfully convicted and later acquitted even after serving part or all of their sentences have a path to seek compensation through the Supreme Court.
Speaking during his vetting in Parliament on Monday, June 16, the nominee emphasized that while compensation is not automatic, the Supreme Court has the discretion to award it based on the specifics of each case.
“The Supreme Court uses its discretion based on the facts of the case and the circumstances. I believe that the Supreme Court Justice will take all the necessary factors into consideration in deciding whether it is an appropriate case to award compensation or not,” he said.
His comments was in response to a question posed by Minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin enquiring about compensations in the wake of acquittals following long term sentences.
Quite recently, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Yaw Asante Agyekum who was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2010 together with notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi who was also jailed for 160 years.
Agyekum was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2010 after being linked to Ataa Ayi.
Initially arrested in 2002, Agyekum was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, accused of working as a mechanic for Ataa Ayi’s criminal gang, which operated across Accra in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Justice Suurubaareh further clarified that affected persons are entitled to make an application to the Court to claim compensation for time spent in custody, should their conviction be overturned.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Mitchell Asare Amoamah
