The Judicial Service in Eastern Region Wednesday April 16,2025 opened Criminal Assizes at the Koforidua High Court for the first time in almost 20 years.
About 115 jurors have been mobilized for the exercise.
Criminal Assizes session in the High Court is constituted by a single judge with selected jurors to participate in the administration of justice regarding serious cases mostly of indictment such as murder, rape, robbery among others.
Opening the Assizes, the Supervising High Court Judge His Lordship George Akrofa Adae underscored the importance of Criminal Assizes in dispensing justice.
He urged stakeholders to actively play their respective role.
“It is a principle of law that all although the wheels of Justice grinds slowly, Justice delayed is justice denied. So I wish to use this occasion to plead with all relevant institutions who have a role to play in the justice delivery system as far as Assizes is concerned- the Attorney General, the Bar, Legal Aide, the Jurors and my colleague judges to play our role in the Justice Delivery system firmly snd expeditiously and perform our respective roles so that together we can all achieve free, fair and expeditious trial in the year 2025” Said Lordship George Akrofa Adae, Supervising High Court Judge , Koforidua High Court
Eastern Regional State Attorney Mrs. Emily Addo-Kyereh stated that jury trial is a cornerstone to Justice system in Ghana.
“it as been over a decade now since the last formal opening of the Criminal Assizes was conducted in the Eastern Region. Some of our relatively young members at the bar are now going to have their very first experience.
I must state that jury trials are a vital cornerstone to our criminal justice system in Ghana. The essence of the jury system as a cornerstone to our justice system ensures that the verdicts in court reflect our community values and promotes transparency” said Mrs. Emily Addo-Kyereh
She recommended urgent changes in the Criminal Offences Act 1960 .
“It is prudent to indicate that the Office of the Attorney-General is in the formative stages of considering some thematic areas to make amendment to the existing law particularly on arrest and seizure, bail and recognisance, summary trials and most importantly trials on indictment. In my humble opinion, our 1960 Act is in dire need of some urgent changes, makeup and facelifts”
She added ” I again admonish State Attorneys, Public Defenders. Defence Counsels and Jurors to be mindful of the significant responsibility imposed on them under the law. We should never lose sight of our commitment to the rule of law and the ethos of the rules of justice. The Office of the Attorney General, Eastern Region remains unwavering in its dedication to the cause of Justice equality and fairness as inscribed in our Constitution and We promise to persevere in our mandate without prejudice or favour”.
Mrs. Emily Addo-Kyereh also reminded accused persons their right to explore opportunities in the plea bargaining law.
Director of the Public Defender Division said the division intends to deepen partnership with stakeholders in the justice delivery system in pursuit of legislative reforms that will streamline procedures and uphold the principles of restorative justice.
Francis Polley Esq, Eastern Regional President of Ghana Bar Association (GBA), pledged support of the association to ensuring that the Assizes session runs smoothly.
He urged the judicial service to sustain the Assizes session for it to help dispense justice judiciously and decongest the prisons.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
