AG not aware of discontinuation of Delta 8 case – Government

Attorney General and Minister of Justice is not privy to the decision to drop charges against the eight members of a pro-NPP vigilante group, Delta Force stormed a magistrate court to free their members in lawful custody.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information.
The statement argued that that the Principal State Attorney in the case did not consult the Attorney General before dropping the charges against the accused.

According to the statement, the Attorney General’s Department has launched an investigation into the matter.

It said the action by the State Attorney may amount to “a breach of internal procedures on matters of this nature.”

A Kumasi Circuit court presided over by Her Honour, Patricia Amponsah was forced to discharge the accused persons and dismissed the case of the Delta Force members.

Explaining their decision the prosecutor, ACP Okyere Darko, said they did not have enough evidence to support the charges levelled against the accused persons. He added that he had orders from the Attorney General Gloria Akufo to drop the charges against them.

However, the Ministry of Information said the prosecutor took the decision on his own.

The eight members of Delta Force were standing trial after they besieged the Kumasi Circuit Court and freed their members who were facing charges for attacking the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Agyei.
The statement finally said that the Nana Addo-led government will ensure that the supremacy of the rule of law is applied in this matter.

Read the ministry’s full statement below:

The Attorney General’s department is investigating circumstances under which a Principal State Attorney in Kumasi decided without recourse to advice from higher authority on a matter of high public interest of this nature to drop charges against persons arrested in connection with disturbances in a Kumasi Magistrate’s court in April this year.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the decision was taken without recourse even to the Director of Public Prosecution and may amount to a breach of internal procedures on matters of this nature.

While the department awaits the full results of this investigation we will like to reiterate our commitment to ensuring that the rule of law is applied at all times and persons found culpable of any breaches that bring the work and commitment of the department into disrepute will be sanctioned and the appropriate remedies adopted in the interest of the Republic.

Signed
Information Ministry