A lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, has challenged the Attorney General to rearrests 8 members of the delta force vigilante group freed by a Kumasi circuit court on Wednesday.
Prof Ransford Gyampo says the AG should demonstrate her resolve to pursue the case by ordering their arrest again, and providing evidence to get them convicted.
The Eight were standing trial for storming a Kumasi circuit court to free 13 other members, being prosecuted for assaulting the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.
A Kumasi Circuit Court presided over by Patricia Amponsah on Wednesday struck out the case after prosecutors filed a notice of discontinuation due to lack of evidence.
Explaining the reasons for the discontinuation of the case, Principal State Attorney, Marie Louise-Simmons who reportedly took the decision on behalf of the AG, said none of the witnesses they were relying on, including the judge whose court was stormed could identify any of the accused persons.
"Despite the unfortunate and despicable incident that occurred the manner in which it occurred, the investigations conducted and the evidence available makes it extremely impossible to successfully prosecute any of the suspects here inâ€.
"I, therefore, advise that the charges of DISTURBANCE OF COURT AND RESISTING ARREST & RESCUE against the suspects must be dropped for lack of evidence to prosecute", she stated.
Her decision has subsequently been described by a statement from the Information Ministry, as one taken "without recourse to advice from higher authorityâ€. The AGs department has indicated a probe would be set up to investigated the case further.
Expressing his disappointment with the release of the Delta 8, Prof Gyampo said the reason for their release was untenable since the courtroom was full of people who could have testified.
"I don't want to believe that there really was no evidence. I think something isn't being done right regarding this Delta Force matter".
For him, “Any AG Department official who claimed there is no evidence to try these people is incompetent and unfit for that position"
"If politicians are not the same, the AG should just order the Delta Force eight to be rearrested", he challenged.Â
According to him, the AG 's department would have consulted others and brought a solid case if they had really wanted to get finality on this rather than turning around to probe this decision.
"This Delta force issue is a real test of our commitment to Rule of Law. If the AG believes that there has been some wrongdoing, she should order for a rearrest", Prof Gyampo emphasised on Joy FM's Super Morning on Thursday.Â
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