Supreme Court nominee, Justice Gbiel Simon Suurubaareh, has clarified that individuals who are wrongfully convicted and later acquitted — even after serving part or all of their sentences — have a legitimate path to seek compensation through the Supreme Court.
Speaking during his vetting by Parliament on Monday, June 16, Justice Suurubaareh affirmed the discretionary power of the apex court in determining whether such cases qualify for compensation, depending on their unique circumstances.
“The Supreme Court uses its discretion based on the facts of the case and the circumstances.
“I believe that the Supreme Court Justice will take all the necessary factors into consideration in deciding whether it is an appropriate case to award compensation or not,” he stated.
His remarks came in response to a question from the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who sought clarity on whether the justice system provides any redress to individuals acquitted after long periods of incarceration.
The conversation was especially relevant in the wake of a recent high-profile acquittal.
The Court of Appeal recently acquitted and discharged Yaw Asante Agyekum, who had served over a decade of a 35-year prison sentence handed down in 2010.
He was convicted alongside notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi, who received a 160-year sentence.
Agyekum, who was initially arrested in 2002, was accused of being part of Ataa Ayi’s criminal operations, working as a mechanic for the gang that terrorized Accra in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His conviction was later deemed unsafe, leading to his release.
Justice Suurubaareh emphasized that the law allows individuals like Agyekum to formally apply for compensation once their conviction is overturned.
“Once someone is acquitted after serving part of a sentence, they have the right to apply to the Court to seek compensation for the time lost,” he said.
