Commentary on high profile criminal cases exceeding limits of free speech – AG warns
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame has said recent comments by some people on criminal charges clearly exceed the bounds of acceptable speech.
In a statement on Tuesday (4 July), Dame said such comments seek to disparage prosecutors in the eyes of the public and frustrate prosecution of those cases.
The minister said such comments are orchestrated to pervert the course of justice and/or prejudice the fair hearing and determination of the cases
The Attorney General’s statement comes on the back of recent public comments by the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II.
The chief has appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Attorney General to as a matter of urgency stop the trial of the Member of Parliament of Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.
“The Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice 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.”
“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 & 2 Others and Republic vrs. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Others,” the statement said.
“Whilst respecting the freedom of all persons in Ghana to comment on any matter including cases pending in court, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice takes note that much of the recent commentary on many of the so-called high-profile criminal cases transgresses permissible limits of free speech, 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.”
The Attorney General has, therefore, 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.”
