The Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame has called for a swift completion of investigations into the cases involving protesters who joined the Democracy hub demonstration.
He said this should facilitate the discharge of the innocent among them.
53 protesters who took to the streets to demonstrate against illegal mining, also known as Galamsey, were rounded up by the Police for causing public mayhem and impeding free movement of road users. The three-day protests occurred from September 21 – 23 at 37 Military Hospital roundabout.
The protesters have since been charged with various offences including unlawful assembly, offensive conduct, and assault of a public officer and have subsequently been remanded into police and prison
All 53 protesters including leading members of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker Vormawor and Felicity Nelson were denied bail which caused a public uproar and social media campaign #FreeTheCitizens.
Godfred Yeboah Dame addressing judges and magistrates during their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, October 2 asserted that regardless of the legitimacy of concerns of the protesters, it must not infringe on the rights of movement of others, security of police officers among others.
“I urge the Police Service to swiftly conclude investigations by the next adjourned dates of the cases involving the prosecution of excesses from recent protests in Accra to exclude by that date, all those against whom sufficient evidence cannot be found to proceed further.”
He also urged the prosecution to consider the bail application of the demonstrators.
“I will also advise the prosecution to consider relevant bail applications made at the next adjourned dates of the cases.”
Source:3news.com