The Parliamentary Minority Caucus has accused the government of applying justice selectively following the High Court’s ruling in The Republic v. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Akonta Limited.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday whilst reading a statement on the judgment, the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, claimed that the case highlights a broader concern about fairness under the law. She noted that state institutions appear to act swiftly and severely whenever the target is a member of the political opposition.
“The machinery of the state moves fastest and lands hardest when the target is the political opposition,” Hon. Appiagyei stated. “The Minority Caucus has taken note of the judgment delivered by the High Court in the case of The Republic v. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Akonta Limited.”
The Minority argued that the underlying issue extends far beyond a single prosecution, emphasising that a healthy democracy relies on the losing side trusting that rules are clear and enforced equally, regardless of political affiliation.
“If this government is serious about ending selective justice, then it must prosecute its own with equal vigour,” she said. “When the law is applied only when convenient, then no citizen’s rights are secure, no matter which party they belong to. Public trust in institutions that must outlive any single administration is eroded.”
Following the court’s decision, the Caucus outlined four distinct demands to ensure accountability. First, they called on the Attorney-General to publish the government’s full record of enforcement actions regarding illegal mining across all political lines to prove the law is being applied “without fear or favour.”
Secondly, they urged the Court of Appeal to review issues raised in the case, including the denial of counsel, refusal to refer, and bail matters, with “equal and unflinching scrutiny.” Thirdly, the Minority called on the Judiciary to reaffirm the standard for constitutional referral, specifically referencing the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Zenator case. Finally, they charged Ghanaians to demand that “the standards which cleared Mr. Tsikata’s name in 2006 be demanded with equal conviction today.”
“Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done, and it must be done equally,” Hon. Appiagyei concluded.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
