A coalition of Ghanaian civil society organizations has urged the presiding judge in the trial of former National Signals Bureau (NSB) Director-General, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, to ensure a fair and impartial trial. The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, comprising SMART Generation Governance Hub, OmanGh Interest Advocates, Alliance of Pastors for Social and Moral Development, and Agenda for Security and Social Systems, made the call at a news conference. They emphasized that the trial's outcome should be determined solely on its merits, without political pressure or public influence.
The coalition expressed concern that the trial, which is ongoing at the Accra High Court, Specialised Jurisdiction Division, could be influenced by the political affiliations of the accused persons or the possible political consequences of the case. They stressed that the court must independently assess the evidence and applicable law, ensuring that neither the prosecution nor the defence is given undue advantage. The coalition's position is that the prosecution must prove its case, and the defence must be afforded every protection guaranteed by law.
The case against Adu-Boahene and two others involves allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds during their tenure at the NSB. The coalition acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, including the acquisition of over 50 houses in various locations and the disappearance of approximately GH¢49.1 million from the state institution. However, they cautioned that the magnitude of the allegations should not predetermine the trial's outcome.
The coalition emphasized that allegations, no matter how serious, must be established through evidence presented before the court and tested in accordance with the law. They warned that no person should be convicted due to political pressure, public anger, or the magnitude of allegations announced at a press conference. Equally, no person should be insulated from criminal responsibility merely because of political affiliation or institutional position.
The coalition urged the prosecution to conduct itself with fairness, accuracy, and respect for the integrity of the judicial process. They noted that the responsibility of prosecutors extends beyond securing convictions to assisting the court in the administration of justice. The coalition called on all parties to respect the judicial process and allow the court to perform its constitutional duties without interference.
The coalition's intervention is aimed at ensuring that the constitutional principles of judicial independence, due process, and equal protection under the law are upheld in practice. They emphasized that their concern is not to pronounce Adu-Boahene or his co-accused guilty or innocent but to ensure a fair trial. The coalition also called on the government to respect the judicial process and urged the Ghanaian public to recognize the importance of an impartial justice system.
The coalition stated that Ghana deserves a justice system in which every accused person receives a fair hearing, prosecutors are accountable for the accuracy of the cases they present, judges are free from improper influence, and judgments are firmly grounded in the law. They stressed that the rule of law is protected not when courts deliver a desired verdict but when they are free to deliver a verdict based on the law.
Key points
- The coalition urges an impartial trial of Kwabena Adu-Boahene, free from political pressure and public influence.
- The trial's outcome should be determined solely on its merits, based on evidence and applicable law.
- The coalition emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional principles of judicial independence, due process, and equal protection under the law.
