The recent decision by the Attorney General to withdraw charges against Edward Akuoko, General Manager of Akonta Mining Company Limited, has drawn sharp criticism from Wontumi’s lawyer, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who warned that such actions could undermine the course of justice.
Appiah-Kubi stressed that while the Attorney General has the legal right to withdraw charges, his dual role as Minister for Justice carries a heightened responsibility to ensure fairness.
“I would have thought that his role as Minister of Justice would have persuaded him at all times to be careful that the freedom and the justice of the moment is served also on all the accused persons until they are proven guilty,” he said in a video available to MyNewsGh.
He suggested that relying on a former accused person to prosecute other accused parties raises questions about the impartiality and intent behind the decision.
“The way that the Attorney General appears to be poaching his own accused persons suggests that there is intent to undermine the course of justice. We will resist your precise rule,” Appiah-Kubi added.
The lawyer reiterated that the withdrawal of charges against Akuoko does not affect the team’s commitment to defending Wontumi, highlighting the legal principle that all accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He emphasized the need to safeguard citizens’ rights and maintain trust in the justice system, calling on the Attorney General to exercise caution in handling sensitive prosecutions.
