Recent commentary on some criminal cases exceed the bounds of acceptable speech – AG

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame has said recent comments on the Gyakye Quayson case, the Opuni case, and other “high profile” criminal cases exceed permissible limits of free speech. 

In an official statement, Mr. Dame said such comments also tend to interfere with the work of State Prosecutors and puts unnecessary pressure on the courts.

"The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice observes that many of the recent comments by various persons on some criminal matters, particularly those mentioned above (widely publicised in the media), clearly exceed the bounds of acceptable speech as they seek to disparage prosecutors in the eyes of the public and frustrate prosecution of those cases. 

Some of the comments are orchestrated to pervert the course of justice and/or prejudice the fair hearing and determination of the cases," the statement further said.

While urging the public to respect due process in the prosecution of cases, the AG also cautioned that “ no immunity is conferred by a person’s position in Parliament, the Judiciary, Traditional Authority, the Bar, or any official position, from the consequences of an interference in the administration of justice or an attempt to overreach a judgment to be delivered by the court in any matter.”

The AG's statement comes in the wake of recent comments by the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, where he urged the President and the AG to discontinue the criminal trial of newly elected Member of Parliament for Assin-North, James Gyakye Quayson. 

The chief who doubles as a high court judge has however come under criticism, particularly from the renowned lawyer, Sam Okudzeto, who has said the chief committed a blunder with his comments and thus should be sanctioned by the judicial council.