Lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has criticised what he describes as an “indecent haste” in the prosecution of politically exposed persons, arguing that political cases appear to receive special treatment within Ghana’s justice system.
Samuel Atta Akyea questioned the speed at which his client’s illegal mining case was handled, saying it differed from the usual pace of other criminal and civil cases.
“There seems to be an indecent haste to prosecute what I call political cases,” Mr Atta Akyea stated.
According to Atta Akyea, Ghana’s justice system traditionally allows judges discretion in scheduling cases, with adjournments sometimes lasting several weeks or months.
“There is a justice delivery system in which judges are not by themselves in a hurry to prosecute people but to adjudicate matters,” he said.
He argued that Chairman Wontumi’s case was treated differently, with proceedings moved to a special court and handled at a faster pace.
“This is a special case. They take it to a special court, and the judge will tell you that you can’t go to another court and do another case while I am waiting. You need to come to this court and then we proceed with the case. What is the meaning of that?” he questioned.
Mr Atta Akyea said the approach creates the perception that politically sensitive criminal cases are deliberately fast-tracked.
“It is ministering to the generality of our people that let’s do an ambulance trial relative to political cases,” he added.
The lawyer also questioned whether similar urgency is applied to civil cases, particularly land disputes, arguing that other matters before the courts often experience longer delays.
“Are the judges giving their energies to political criminal cases? But the rest of the cases, whether civil or other criminal cases, don’t receive the same attention?” he asked.
