Audio By Carbonatix
The Supreme Court has in a unanimous decision ruled that courts are to sit on weekends and public holidays to deal with issues that affect personal liberty.
This brings to an end the age-long practice where persons are arrested and kept beyond 48 hours because weekends and holidays are not counted.
The seven-member panel presided over by outgoing Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo held that 48 hours means 48 hours.
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu in September 2016 dragged the Attorney General to the Apex court demanding a declaration that portions of the Holidays Act that bars the courts from dealing with cases that affect personal liberty are unconstitutional.
The Chief Justice presided over the panel comprising Justices Julius Ansah, Anin Yeboah (Chief Justice Designate), Baffoe Bonnie, Sule Gbadegbe, A. A Benin, and Prof. Ashie Kotey.
This is her last decision as a Justice of the Highest court of the land.
Reading the judgement, she stated that the portions of the Holidays Act preventing such access to justice are unconstitutional.
The court then rectified the provisions to exempt courts dealing with personal liberty cases as part of those who can work on holidays.
The court ordered that the Chief Justice must within six months designate each Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly with the required number of courts as may be needed to sit on weekends and holidays to deal with cases affecting personal liberty.
The court also ordered that the IGP sensitizes police prosecutors about this decision within six months.
The director of the Judicial Training Institute is also to do the same for Judges and Magistrates.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
AU adopts Ghana-led resolution by consensus, Mahama outlines global diplomatic push
34 minutes -
New PESCO Old Students’ leadership promises to reposition associationÂ
43 minutes -
Every African object unjustly held abroad must be returned – Mahama demands restitution
53 minutes -
AU Summit: President Mahama advocates for continental resolution on enslavement
56 minutes -
Amin Adam slams NDC’s economic management
1 hour -
President Mahama urges global support on reparatory justice at AU Summit
1 hour -
Mankessim-Accra lorry station’s choked gutters
1 hour -
The politics of envelopes: Why bad roads in Ghana may be a voter problem too
1 hour -
Dagbani Wikimedians, sister language communities hold annual capacity building retreat in Wa
2 hours -
Interior Ministry confirms attack on Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso
2 hours -
New Oboase traditional leaders praise Asiedu Nketia for returning to express gratitude
2 hours -
Ministry of Health reaffirms commitment to tackling sickle cell disease
2 hours -
Livestream: The Law discusses Legal Education Reform Bill
2 hours -
Seven remanded over open defecation
2 hours -
Karaga MP Amin Adam donates funds, 1,000 bags of cement for Northern Regional NPP headquarters
3 hours
