Plea-Bargaining won’t shield perpetrators of election violence – Dep Attorney-General 

The first Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tua Yeboah has cautioned that plea bargaining won’t be a universal tool to evade justice.

Citing sexual offenders and perpetrators of election violence as an example, Tua Yeboah indicated that the Act will not be used as a shield.

“The guidelines should not be an excuse or should not be used as a springboard for the evasion of justice. And to the public, the application of the Plea-Bargaining Act shouldn’t be seen as an attempt to undermine justice,” he said.

“In appropriate cases where we need to apply the law, the law will be applied. In cases where we cannot apply the law, the law will not be applied. And so as you take the guidelines back to your regions, stick to the guidelines so well, make sure those who deserve the benefit of the guidelines get it. Those who do not deserve it, don’t give it to them.

“And to the criminals out there, if you think that by launching these guidelines, you are going to just commit crimes and go clean the net, be on notice, the Plea-Bargaining Act will not be used as a shield for criminals to perpetuate their wrongful activities.

“If you’re a criminal and you think that every criminal conduct is covered under the plea-bargaining act, revise your notes. Especially the men and young men who have a penchant to engage in sexual offences, rape, defilement. We’re in an election year, those who think that they can commit electoral offences and come under the Plea-Bargaining Act, revise your notes. We need a country where people must obey the laws of the land,” he added.

The Deputy Attorney-General was speaking at the launch of the plea-bargaining guidelines during a capacity-building programme for prosecuting lawyers at Kwahu in the Eastern Region, on September 21

Referencing financial crimes, Alfred Tuah Yeboah explained that although an arrangement can be made with accused persons, the Plea-Bargaining Act will only be considered after considering the brief facts of the case.

“If you’re a habitual criminal you’re not going to benefit from the Plea-Bargaining Act because you just want to take advantage of it and have your way,” he cautioned.

The post Plea-Bargaining won’t shield perpetrators of election violence – Dep Attorney-General  first appeared on 3News.

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