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The Concerned Youth of the Jirapa Municipality in the Upper West Region have urgently appealed to Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, to reverse the decision to transfer the high-profile murder case of the late Eric Johnson from the Wa High Court to Kumasi.
Eric Johnson, the owner of the Royal Cosy Hills Hotel, popularly known as Jirapa Dubai, was tragically murdered at his facility on 11 February 2024.
The suspect in the case, Eliasah Mahama Akpanyikye is currently on trial at the Wa High Court. The decision to transfer the case, based on a petition from Mahama’s mother, has sparked significant concerns regarding the potential for injustice and the integrity of the judicial process.
In a press conference held in Jirapa on Thursday, (30 May 2024) and led by John Napulung, the youth and other concerned citizens expressed their deep apprehension over the proposed relocation of the trial.
They assert that the security of the suspect has been adequately maintained since his arrest, with no breaches reported by the Ghana Police Service or the Judicial Service in the Upper West Region, calling the allegations of compromised safety “strange and suspicious.”
“We believe that justice must be served transparently and impartially,” the petition states. “The interest of the petitioner, in this case, should not override the collective interest of Eric Johnson’s family, the Jirapa Municipality, and the entire Upper West Region.”
The youth emphasized that the Wa High Court is fully prepared to continue with the trial, with the jury already empaneled and ready to hear the case. They fear that transferring the case could lead to significant delays and undermine public confidence in the judicial system.
The petition also highlights the support of the broader community, including the paramount chief and traditional leaders of the Jirapa area, who stand in solidarity with the youth.
They stress that justice delayed is justice denied and that any further postponements would be detrimental to the pursuit of justice for the late Johnson.
With over 1,000 concerned citizens signing the petition, there is widespread support for keeping the trial at the Wa High Court. The petitioners urge the Chief Justice to consider the potential negative implications of the transfer on public trust in the justice system.
“We respectfully request you to take immediate action to reverse the decision on the petition of a single person, the mother of the prime suspect, and uphold the principles of justice and fairness in this critical case,” the petition concludes.
The youth and citizens of the Jirapa Municipality remain steadfast in their belief in the motto of Ghana’s Judicial Service, “Equal access to quality justice,” and they trust that the Chief Justice will uphold these values in her decision.
Reporting by Alhassan Tajudeen in the Upper West Region
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