The Attorney General (AG) and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has said hinted of steps to be taken to amend the jury system following the outcome of the former New Patriotic Party’s Upper East Regional Chairman, Adams Mahama’s murder case.
The AG said, the verdict of the jury unable to reach a decision after returning a 4:3 not guilty decision for Gregory Afoko on two counts of conspiracy and murder and at the same time returning, a unanimous guilty verdict against Asabke on conspiracy, highlighted the “severe challenges” with the system.
Following the verdict of the jury, Asabke who also had a 4:3 not guilty decision on murder, was sentenced to death by hanging on Thursday, April 27.
Justice Afua Merley Wood, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting as an additional High Court judge, who hands were tied after the jury verdict, ordered for a retrial of Afoko whiling discharging the jury.
In an official statement from the AG, on April 27, Mr Dame said, the present situation exposes the need for reforms and amendment in the jury system.
“The instant case, particularly the unanimous verdict of the jury regarding the guilt of the 2nd accused (Asabke) for conspiracy to commit murder, whilst at the same time delivering a hung verdict in the case of the 1st accused (Afoko) on the same charge, highlights the severe challenges with the jury system, a situation the Attorney-General is taking steps to remedy as part of proposals for amendment of many parts of the criminal procedure laws of Ghana,” Mr Dame stated.
He therefore urged the public to trek cautiously in their commentaries in order not to jeopardize the sound administration of Justice.
“The Attorney-General hereby respectfully, entreats members of the public, including lawyers, to be guided accordingly and desist from comments which have an undue tendency to jeopardise the sound and efficient administration of justice,” the AG urged.
-By Murtala Inusag|Starrfm|Ghana
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