Alfred Tua Yeboah, the First Deputy Attorney-General, has warned that plea bargaining will not serve as a blanket means to avoid justice.
Using sexual offenders and individuals involved in election violence as examples, Yeboah emphasized that the law will not be used as a shield for such offenses.
“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 spoke at the launch of the plea-bargaining guidelines during a capacity-building program for prosecuting lawyers in Kwahu, Eastern Region, on September 21.
Alfred Tuah Yeboah addressed financial crimes, stating that while arrangements can be made with accused individuals, the Plea-Bargaining Act will only be applied after reviewing the case’s essential facts.
He warned, “If you’re a habitual criminal, you won’t benefit from the Plea-Bargaining Act because you might try to exploit it for personal gain.”
