
Martin Kpebu, a legal practitioner, is advocating for greater transparency in Ghana’s justice system, particularly in cases where political interference is suspected.
Speaking on the discontinuation of high-profile cases on TV3’s newday, Kpebu cited the example of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa’s case.
In this instance, former Attorney-General Godfred Dame was caught on tape revealing pressure from then-President Akufo-Addo and the Finance Minister to prosecute them at all costs.
“The criminal justice system is not for political point-scoring,” Kpebu emphasized. “We heard it directly from the Attorney-General himself, yet the case proceeded. This is exactly why such cases should be discontinued if they are proven to be politically motivated.”
Kpebu also criticized the lack of transparency when cases are withdrawn. “If an Attorney-General decides to cancel a case, the public deserves an explanation,” he argued. “We cannot allow leaders to wield power arbitrarily. In South Africa and other democracies, transparency is a legal requirement. Ghana should follow suit.”
Furthermore, Kpebu highlighted the Gregory Afoko case, where the accused remains in custody despite a failed conviction. “This is an abuse of rights,” he stated. “If a person has gone through the full trial process and the state still cannot convict him, why is he still in custody?”
Kpebu is calling for legislative amendments to compel the Attorney-General to provide explanations whenever a case is discontinued, ensuring that justice is not used as a political weapon.