The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has expressed regret about the discharge of the Delta Force 8 who were standing trial for aiding the escape of 13 of their members from lawful custody.

Senior State Attorney Marie Louise-Simmons advised prosecutors to drop charges against the accused persons because of lack of evidence against them.
Subsequently on Wednesday May 17, the Kumasi Circuit discharged and struck out the case when the court was told about the Attorney General Department’s advice.

The eight were charged with causing disturbances in court, resisting arrest, and rescuing persons in lawful custody when they aided the escape of the 13 Delta Force members arrested for assaulting the Ashanti Regional Security Liaison Officer.

Reacting to the development, the GBA in a statement said justice will not be served if the discharge of the said accused persons ends the matter.

The statement, jointly signed by Mr Benson Nutsukpui and Mr Justin A Amenuvor, National President and National Secretary respectively, read: “The Ghana Bar Association has noted with disquiet the discharge of eight persons by the Circuit Court, Kumasi, on 7 May, 2017 supposedly on the advice of the Attorney General’s Department.

“The GBA is disturbed by the turn of events and hopes that the discharge of the said accused persons will not signify an end of the matter. It is the view of the GBA that justice will not be served if the discharge of the accused persons ends the matter.

“The Bar calls upon the Ghana Police Service to thoroughly investigate the matter in its entirety. We call upon the police to interview the court officials, lawyers, and litigants who were in court on the day in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The GBA reiterates its call in the statement it issued on 6 April 2017 to ensure that all persons who played any role whatsoever in the attack on the court are arrested, duly charged, and prosecuted.

“Finally, we wish to state that it is a threat to the rule of law if the impression is created that persons who engage in lawless acts can escape the arm of the law.”

 

Source: graphic.com.gh