Election related crimes will be prosecuted promptly-DPP assures
By DL News
Published
2 min read
She noted that prosecutors are responsible for upholding national interests by addressing these crimes in alignment with the law, thus safeguarding the country's peace, unity, and democracy before, during, and after the December general ele...
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Office of the Attorney-General, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa has emphasized the dedication of state attorneys to swiftly and lawfully prosecute election-related offenses, ensuring peaceful elections.
She noted that prosecutors are responsible for upholding national interests by addressing these crimes in alignment with the law, thus safeguarding the country's peace, unity, and democracy before, during, and after the December general elections.
She made this known during the launch of plea bargaining guidelines and a training program for state attorneys. The DPP encouraged prosecutors to continue their hard work, viewing their role as a "noble calling," and urged them to remain ready to work at odd hours when required.
The four-day training program, held at Kwahu Nkwatia in the Eastern Region, brought together state attorneys from across the country and representatives from agencies like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Narcotics Control Commission.
The plea bargaining guidelines, developed with support from the US State Department, provide a reference for prosecutors, lawyers, and other criminal justice stakeholders. These guidelines aim to ensure fairness, transparency, and uniformity in plea bargaining negotiations, eliminating unlawful practices.
Plea bargaining became part of Ghana's criminal justice system following the enactment of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), which modified the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
It exists in three forms: charge bargaining (reducing a serious charge to a lesser one), non-prosecution bargaining (dropping or not filing charges), and sentencing bargaining (negotiating for reduced punishment).
The guidelines outline how state attorneys should approach plea negotiations, detailing factors to consider, the format of negotiations, and the content of plea agreements.
On his part, a deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah stressed the importance of integrity, urging state attorneys to follow the guidelines without bias.
He emphasized that plea bargaining should not be a means to pervert justice and clarified that plea bargaining is not a loophole for committing crimes, as the law is structured to prevent its misuse.
