Mrs Juliana Amono-Niezer, the Central Region Supervising High Court Judge, has charged actors in the judicial system, particularly judges and jurors, to approach criminal cases with diligence, integrity, and unwavering commitment to fairness and justice.
She said such cases involve the lives, liberty, and well-being of individuals, as well as the peace and security of society.
“I have no doubt that through our collective effort guided by the principles of law, and driven by shared commitment to justice, these criminal assizes will be conducted with efficiency, fairness, and a profound respect for the rights of all,” she said.
Mrs Amono-Niezer made the admonition when she officially opened this year’s criminal assizes for the Central Region at a solemn ceremony held at the Cape Coast Court Complex.
Criminal assizes are the special sessions of the High Court, opened annually to try indictable offences such as murder, rape, armed robbery, and treason.
The ceremony was immediately followed by the empanelling of juries for some three murder cases, including the Mankessim murder case involving the cruel death of a prospective student nurse, Georgina Asor Botchwey, in 2022.
She emphasised that the assizes formed the foundation of the country’s justice delivery system, which ensures that persons accused of such grave crimes are tried fairly and expeditiously before a judge and a jury.
The successful conduct of the assizes, she noted, is not the sole responsibility of the judiciary alone but requires the strong collaboration and professionalism of all other stakeholders.
“The opening of the criminal assizes is not merely a procedural formality but a powerful reaffirmation of our collective commitment to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding the rights of all individuals, and ensuring peace and security of our communities,” she said.
The Supervising High Court Judge further commended all stakeholders, including state attorneys, lawyers, police and prison officers, jurors, and judges, for their commitment to impartiality, professionalism, and dedication over the years.
She also acknowledged the role of the media in the justice delivery system, while urging journalists to continue the path of responsible and accurate reporting to promote transparency and public trust in state institutions.
Mr Vincent Aboagye Nyinaku, a Principal State Attorney from the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, stressed the role of criminal justice in every society, indicating that the country would be thrown into a state of total chaos and anarchy without it.
He thus entreated all stakeholders to embrace it and help to sustain and strengthen it.
As representatives of society, he implored jurors to be fair in their work, stressing that an accused person could only be guilty when convincing evidence is presented against them.
“Eschew any act of corruption in this duty given to you,” he stressed.
Mr Nyinaku backed the directive for the speedy disposal of cases through speedy trials but called for support in funding his office to carry out its duty effectively.
For his part, Mr Daniel Arthur, Secretary of the Central Regional Chapter of the Ghana Bar Association, pledged the resolve of their members to carry out their duties without fear or favour to ensure that only persons who had committed crimes are punished.
