We’re not set to persecute Opuni - Deputy AG Joseph Kpemka

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A Deputy Attorney-General (A-G)and Minister of Justice, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, has stated that government has no intention to persecute anybody as alleged by some politicians in relation to, ongoing criminal trial involving the former COCBOD CEO, Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni.

The Deputy Minister, in an interview with GBCONLINE said the persecution allegations against the state are facetious. 

Mr. Kpemka said, “Nobody will persecute anybody; I have repeatedly made the point that, this office is an office of Justice and in fact, is it the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General so we don’t persecute people, we just do prosecution. We do our work as mandated by law.”

The Deputy Minister, who is also a Member of Parliament for Tempane Constituency in the Upper East Region, mentioned that, “article 88 is very obvious and clear, that’s, it gives the Attorney-General the power to initiate criminal prosecutions in the name of the Republic, but we only initiate prosecutions in respect of cases that, in our judgment realizing that, there is case against the person”,….stressing the point “we don’t just go look at your nose, your face, your ethnic origin or your background and say that because we don’t like you, we are taking you to court, that is unconstitutional.”

According to him, the office of the AG is bound to do what is right, and “What is right, is determined by the fact that we use our value judgment in all circumstances, even that discretion given to us, is regulated by laws of Ghana. The discretion to go to court and all that which we exercise taking into consideration the entire circumstances of each matter,” without ill will, malice or hatred. 

“This is the Ministry of prosecution and not Ministry of persecution,” he noted and emphasized again that “will do just that and I can assure you that, whoever is brought before the law court, we will apply the law and make sure that it works, if it is in your favour, you will go, if it is against you, you suffer the consequences but we don’t intend ever to persecute” and “I know my boss, Gloria Akuffo is a very strict lawyer, she would not even entertain anything that is frivolous in a minute, she can never be manipulated.” 

On the question of why about ten lawyers on this case, this is what he has to say… “What Attorney-General has done in the case, was to put together season Lawyers including herself, two of her Deputies, Director of Public Prosecution, five State Attorneys and other lawyers so that each person will make a contribution so that we can arrive at something that is fair to the accused person and to all Ghanaians at large.

The Accra High Court at it last sitting has adjourned the case of former COCOBOD boss, Dr Stephen Opuni, to allow the Supreme Court determine a constitutional issue related to the case.

Lawyers for Dr Opuni, who is standing trial for allegedly causing financial loss of Gh¢271.3m to the state, filed a motion praying for all the documents that the Attorney-General will use to prosecute their client.

They premised their arguments on Article 19 clause 2 (e) and (g) of the 1992 Constitution, which bordered on fair trial.

Story by Edzorna Francis Mensah
GBCONLINE
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