A 14-year-old was left to spend an extra five months in prison despite being discharged by a Circuit Court in Nkawie.

The inmate was identified when the Justice For All Program held its in-prison sitting on 22nd July, 2024 at the Kumasi Central Prisons.

During the event, the cases of some 31 pre-trial inmates were heard.

While describing the incident as unfortunate, Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah, the Steering Committee Chairperson for the Justice For All Program, said the case would have gone unnoticed if her outfit hadn’t engaged inmates.

“This is very unfortunate and we will ensure that this prisoner who has overstayed for five months leaves the Kumasi Central Prisons today before we also leave the premises. Had it not been the Justice For All program, we would not have uncovered this event,” she stressed.

On his part, the acting officer in charge of the Ashanti Region Prison Command, CSP Alex Adjei, expressed shock over the incident.

According to him, a signed court warrant was presented to him by the investigator in charge of the case.

“I am surprised by this Nkawie case but it is not our fault. So far as the warrant is genuine, we don’t know any other thing until the police come for you,” he explained.

Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah assured that the investigator responsible for the mishap will be held accountable.

“I continue to ask who signed the warrant for the investigator to bring the accused person back to prison? In this case, he was discharged by the court. You have told me he has been released now but I am still probing for further answers. The Justice for All program needs more answers,” she said.