Afoko saga: "rule of law asleep under Akufo-Addo" – Right Alliance Ghana

General News of Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Source: clbadfmonline.com

2019-07-16

A lobby group, Right Alliance Ghana, has called for the release of Mr. Gregory Afoko, one of the suspects on trial for the alleged murder of the president of the Upper East region, Adam Mahama.

The Accra High Court presided over by Judge Merley Wood on Monday, July 15, 2019, rescinded bail previously granted by another high court judge, Judge George Buadi, in March of this year.

Although the suspect meets all bail conditions, the state ignored the court's decision and detained the suspect for about three months.

The state, represented by Marina Appiah Opare, on Monday urged the court to rescind the previous bail, claiming that, given the circumstances, charges and sentence, Mr. Afoko, s & ## He was released on bail, would not appear for trial.

The court accepted the state's request and rescinded bail, a move that angered the public as some critics questioned the government's powers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 and jointly signed by its executive secretary, Alhaji Sani Mohammed, and the director of communication, King Khorby, the group lamented the acts of "human rights and human rights violations". Under the supervision of President Akufo Addo sworn in on 7 January 2017. "

He noted that: "Such abuses have been perpetrated from the presidency to the courts and constituencies, in the streets and ghettos, and our president seems to forget all that. At present, the police service, as an institution, and the courts prosecute these violations and human rights violations. "

According to the group, it is becoming increasingly certain every day that Ghanaians are "now in a banana republic and the rule of law is fast asleep. If not, why would a murder suspect who has been in police custody since 2015 still be detained by the police after a court of competent jurisdiction decided to release him on bail four months after the decision was made? "Adding that the case" Gregory Afoko is a scourge in the face of our national demands to be a stable and exemplary democracy in the sub-region. "

Mr. Afoko's trial "has long been stalled, the Attorney General even disinterested in the prosecution, especially when another suspect was apprehended." lawyers file a bail application and a high court orders him to release him on bail The prosecutors appeal the judgment to another High Court and the Court of Appeal, both of which are dismissed. months later, the police are still holding him back and it seems that all the institutions and human rights defenders are stunned by the silence. "

"Worst of all, the state files a new appeal to the same High Court that made the original decision, but this time under a different judge, which overruled the previous decision to grant bail. This turn of events leaves only true believers in democracy and the rule of law amazed. It's as if the government is conspiring with all state institutions to oppress and repress Ghanaians, "the statement said.

The group also said that he felt "really scandalized by this disgusting trend" and added his voice to "the call of genuine apostles of democracy for the immediate release of Gregory".

He therefore believes that Mr. Afoko's continued detention "is an affront to democracy and a travesty of justice" and called on the government to "release Gregory Afoko now!".