Attorney-General’s comments on Chairman Wontumi case unfair and prejudicial – NPP Lawyer
A member of the New Patriotic Party, NPP legal team, Enoch Afoakwa, has criticised the Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, for what he described as “unfair and prejudicial” public statements regarding the ongoing criminal case involving Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Speaking on GBC’s ‘Current Agenda’, lawyer Afoakwa said that while the Attorney-General holds the constitutional mandate under Article 88 to prosecute criminal offences, his public commentary threatened the right to a fair trial of the accused.
“The Attorney-General is the number one lawyer of the Republic and exercises prosecutorial powers under Article 88. However, as Minister for Justice, he also has a duty to protect the rights of accused persons and ensure justice is not only done but seen to be done,” Afoakwa stated.
Afoakwa said that during a recent press briefing, the Attorney-General alleged that Chairman Wontumi had approached the state with a plea bargain proposal.
He claimed his client was surprised by the allegation and denied any such proposal, emphasising that his client had entered a plea of not guilty and that no disclosures had been served to the defence to enable preparation of the case.
“We are yet to be served with disclosures to even study the case. So how can anyone say a plea bargain has been initiated?”
Afoakwa stressed that Ghana’s justice system is adversarial in nature, meaning both the prosecution and the accused should present their case in court, not via media statements.
“It is not right to try accused persons in the court of public opinion. Such comments can awaken unfair prejudice and affect the credibility of the accused persons.”
He also referenced Article 19 of the Constitution regarding the right to a fair trial and Article 296 concerning the Attorney-General’s discretion, arguing that public statements should avoid arbitrariness or capriciousness.
The matter involving Chairman Wontumi remains before the court, and Afoakwa emphasised that any commentary should be confined to the legal proceedings to ensure the integrity of justice.
“Judicial accountability rests within the walls of the court. The Attorney-General should allow the process to unfold fairly, as our legal system provides.”