The judge overseeing the case between Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa has prohibited any media commentary on the current criminal proceedings. Justice Afia Serwah Asare Botwe believes that some of the comments made about the evidence presented in court could be seen as contemptuous, so she has decided to restrict media coverage of the case.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe before making the order expressed concern about commentary from lawyers both involved in the case and those not involved in the case. The judge also raised concerns about media interviews granted by the third accused person in the case, Richard Jakpa.
The judge made the order to protect the sanctity of the court. Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe noted that the Ghanaian public has the privilege of following the case through media reports and the live stream of the proceedings. “The court notes that the proceedings are being streamed live and anyone can log on and observe the proceedings.
“There is no need for any analysis to be made at this time. Anyone who wants can log on have an opinion and not make any judgement on the matter. “No lawyer or any person shall make any comment bordering on the weight of the evidence adduced or yet to be adduced or make any comment that will prejudice this case,” Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe said in court.
By: Hanson Agyemang
