A-G replies Judge: Your comments are reprehensible, unprofessional

Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Attorney General         The Attorney General, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu has hit back at Justice Anthony Oppong, the judge who Monday recused himself from hearing the trial of suspects in the murder of the overlord of Dabgon, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani. Justice Oppong before standing down from the case following protestations by the A-G's office, accused the deputy Attorney General, Ebo Barton-Oduro of engaging in needless propaganda and turning the Attorney General’s Department into an NDC party office. Barton-Oduro claimed to have evidence of a conversation the judge had with a lady at a drinking bar during which he (the judge) vowed to throw out the case. But Justice Oppong in a statement said he feels not only insecure, but scandalized by the allegations made by the deputy A-G. But the Attorney General has come to the defence of her deputy. She told Joy News’ Seth Kwame Boateng Justice Oppong’s comments were "unprofessional". “It is reprehensible for any judge to use the Bench to make such inflammatory statements," she added. She said state prosecutors work in the most difficult circumstances and do not deserve the political comments made by the judge. “Many of them have indeed prosecuted NDC members before. It is unfair therefore to castigate them in this manner and to bring politics into what is essentially a legal or a judicial process. “I am taking a very serious view about this comment and I will bring them to the notice of Her Ladyship the Chief Justice at the first possible opportunity." She said Justice Oppong’s remarks that he was recusing himself because he did not feel safe was an “afterthought” and unsustainable. She said she will remain focused and continue with the “right-minded” judges in the judiciary to seek justice for the family of the Ya-Na. “We are not about in the name of politics, tribe, ethnicity, religion or bias going to give in to any of such actions. We are on course. I remain focused on the work I do. And we will by the grace of God and with the cooperation of right-minded judges in the judiciary we will continue with this prosecution so that the killers of Ya-Na the late king of Dagbon will be brought to book," she said. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana