Cape Coast: Mrs. Juliana Amono-Niezer, the Central Region Supervising High Court Judge, has urged judges and jurors to handle criminal cases with diligence, integrity, and a commitment to fairness and justice. She emphasized that these cases impact the lives, liberty, and wellbeing of individuals, as well as the peace and security of society.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Amono-Niezer made these remarks during the official opening of this year’s criminal assizes for the Central Region at the Cape Coast Court Complex. Criminal assizes are special High Court sessions held annually to try serious offences such as murder, rape, armed robbery, and treason. The ceremony included the empanelling of juries for three murder cases, including the Mankessim murder case involving the death of a prospective student nurse, Georgina Asor Botchwey, in 2022.
Mrs. Amono-Niezer highlighted that the assizes are crucial to the justice delivery system, ensuring that individuals accused of serious crimes are tried fairly and swiftly. She stressed that the successful conduct of these assizes is a collaborative effort, requiring professionalism from all stakeholders involved.
She underscored the importance of the criminal assizes as a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of individuals, thereby ensuring community peace and security. The Judge commended stakeholders, including state attorneys, lawyers, police, prison officers, jurors, and judges, for their professionalism and dedication over the years.
Furthermore, Mrs. Amono-Niezer acknowledged the media’s role in the justice system and encouraged journalists to maintain responsible and accurate reporting to enhance transparency and public trust in state institutions.
Mr. Vincent Aboagye Nyinaku, Principal State Attorney from the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, highlighted the importance of criminal justice in maintaining societal order. He called on all stakeholders to support and strengthen the system to prevent chaos and anarchy.
He urged jurors to be fair, emphasizing that an accused person should only be deemed guilty based on convincing evidence. Mr. Nyinaku also advocated for the expedited resolution of cases and requested additional funding for his office to perform its duties effectively.
Mr. Daniel Arthur, Secretary of the Central Regional Chapter of the Ghana Bar Association, assured that their members are committed to carrying out their duties impartially, ensuring that only those who have committed crimes are punished.