By Beatrice Oppon
The Accra High Court Judge hearing the criminal case against Dr Ato Forson, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, has cautioned the Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, over his comments in the media on the issue.
The Court reminded Mr. Gyamfi of his status as a Lawyer and the need for him to be circumspect in his utterances in such cases.
The caution comes in the wake of public opinion on a matter that happened in Court last Thursday, when the third accused person, Richard Japka, made some claims about the Attorney-General, asking for his cooperation in the case to secure the conviction of the Minority Leader.
An accomplice of Dr Ato Forson, Richard Jakpa, under cross-examination last Thursday, May 23, alleged that the Attorney General, had engaged him at odd hours to get a testimony against the Minority Leader, who is the prime accused in the case.
The National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, after Court on the said day, spoke to the press, in which he made some comments which the Court found distasteful.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe did not take kindly to the comment by Mr. Gyamfi, to which she questioned him on the basis of the said comment.
The Court then proceeded to caution all parties in the case to be circumspect in their utterances so as not to prejudice the case.
She reminded them of their role as lawyers and the need for them to be focused and responsible in their commentaries.
The Judge said that the public discourse does not have any impact on the trial since the final decision rests with the Court so the parties should allow it some peace to make its decision.
Speaking to the media, Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah agreed with the Court’s call for civility.
He said that regardless of the accusations, the Attorney General’s Office remains resolute in prosecuting the case.
Mr Sammy Gyamfi said the NDC has been measured in its comments in order not to scandalise the Court.
