John Darko, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame in the Ashanti Region, has condemned former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame for taking legal action against Democracy Hub protesters. Darko, a long-time lawyer, characterized the prosecutions as needless and politically irresponsible. The prosecutions targeted famous personalities, like social activist Ama Governor and #FixTheCountry leader Oliver Barker-Vormawor, who participated in the demonstrations.
Darko spoke on Channel One TV's current affairs show The Big Issue on the
sudden dropping of charges against Ama Governor and Barker-Vormawor. He said
that some of the cases pursued by the previous administration should never have
been taken to court because they risked making the accused into
"martyrs."
While conceding that there was some reason for legal action,
particularly in light of property damage, Darko believed that prosecuting was
politically imprudent. As a lawyer, I feel that certain instances should not be
pursued. In fact, as a politician, I believe that prosecuting some instances
elevates these persons to martyr status. "Ama Governor and others should
not have been prosecuted," he said.
He indicated that the government's decision to dismiss the charges was a
deliberate effort to establish impartiality, ensuring that the cases were not
withdrawn in favor of mainly opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC)
members and associates. "I believe the withdrawal of these cases was
intended to demonstrate to the public that we are not only dropping charges
against NDC members ." In any case, it is wonderful that these
lawsuits have been dropped. "The actions of the Democracy Hub members did
not result in significant financial loss to the state, so everything is
fine," he said.
While he supported the decision to drop the charges, Darko he advised all
involved to learn from the experience. "I hope Ama Governor and
Barker-Vormawor learn from this and seek to handle themselves responsibly in
the future. "They are lawyers, and I hope they will maintain the dignity
of the profession," he suggested.
The present administration, through its Attorney General, has officially
dismissed all charges against a number of people involved in the Democracy Hub
protests. These protestors have planned an anti-illegal mining (galamsey) march
in Accra from September 21 to September 23, 2024. Oliver Barker-Vormawor and
social media star Elorm Ama Governor-Ababio, also known as Ama Governor, were
among those who participated in the demonstration among 50 others.
The decision to drop the charges, which were brought under nolle prosequi, was
presented to the Accra Circuit Court in January 2025. This basically ended the
case and handed the accused complete freedom. Dr. Dominic Ayine, Attorney
General and Minister of Justice, signed a court document confirming that the
state will no longer pursue the case, bringing it to an end.
The decision to withdraw the charges, filed under nolle
prosequi, was submitted to the Accra Circuit Court in January 2025. This
effectively dismissed the case and granted full freedom to the accused. A court
document signed by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine
confirmed that the state would no longer pursue the matter, bringing the case
to a close.
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