Adjudication of rape, murder and manslaughter cases in the Upper West region have been suspended after members of the Jury there staged a walkout.
The jurors numbering about 25 accuse government of unfair treatment as their allowances have been in arrears since 2021.
JoyNews’ Rafiq Salam in an interview with the spokesperson of the jurors, Abdul Hakeem Suleman, said the delay in the payment of the allowances is taking a toll on the jurors ‘little finances.’
“For two years, the money has been not been paid to us, yet because of our dedication to national duty, we don’t want to be disrespectful to our citizens of Ghana so we oblige and attend court sittings. So it is one of the reasons we say no, we can’t continue to do this and they won’t listen to us. For once, let’s also act so that the authorities can understand that we are also human beings working within the system so what is due us will be given to us,” he said.
He added, “We don’t know whether it is a discriminatory kind of thing or not...why they have decided to pay other regions and left out Upper West region, so we feel undermined.”
The jurors have threatened not to return to the courts until their concerns are addressed.
In light of this, he called on the government to expedite action to release the funds to the judicial service to fulfill their obligations to them.
“If they are able to do that, it will facilitate that speedy trial of some of the criminal cases," he said.
The Administrator of the judicial service in the region says they are working around the clock to ensure the jurors are paid.
Latest Stories
-
FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Sundowns, Esperance join Al Ahly and Wydad as CAF representatives
2 hours -
CAFCL: Al Ahly set up historic final with ES Tunis
2 hours -
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
6 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
7 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
7 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
7 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
8 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
8 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
8 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
9 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
9 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
10 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
10 hours -
Ejisu by-election: There’s no evidence of NPP engaging in vote-buying – Ahiagbah
10 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
10 hours