AG is not behind arrest of Atta Akyea

Accra, July 15, GNA- Mr Ebo Barton Odro, Deputy Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice, on Friday said the impression created by the Minority caucus that the AG was behind the “invitation” of Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa South by the police was not true.

He said the AG, Mr Martin Amidu, has been out of the country since July 10, 2011 and has nothing to do with the invitation of the MP.

Mr Odro was speaking at a press conference in reaction to the recent statement by the Minority in Parliament which sought to suggest that the AG was behind the arrest of the MP who was on his way to Parliament.

He also debunked the notion by the Minority that the MP was arrested while he was about to mount a witness box involving the same case at the Commercial Court.

He explained that Mr Atta Akyea was invited by the Police when they met him at the car park of the Commercial Court to go with them to the CID Headquarters to assist them in their investigations.

He said the Police also allowed the MP to sort himself out with the court before they went with him (MP) and his lawyer to the CID Headquarters.

Mr Odro also said Article 117 which the Minority based their argument that Mr Atta Akyea was sitting MP who was on his to Parliament so could be not be arrested was wrongly applied.

He said Article 117 was not a blanket provision in the constitution and that Mr Atta Akyea who was in court to sort out his case could not be linked to the work of Parliament.

He said even though the Police referred the docket on the case to the AG’s Department, their responsibility was to give advice and preferred the right charges.

He said the AG is not the one who would determine the case but would be left to the court to decide whether the MP is guilty or not of the charges preferred against him.

“We owe it as a duty to any citizen of the country whether Ghanaian or foreigner to ensure that there is justice for all”, he added.

Mr Odro also said despite the fact there is a civil case involving Mr Atta Akyea and Mr Joseph Adom pending before the court, it does not stop the AG’s department from pursuing a criminal case against the MP when a complaint have been made by the plaintiff against the MP.

He said Mr Joseph Adom had filed a criminal case against Mr Atta Akyea on April 2010 even before Mr Atta Akyea filed his suit on August, 2010 so it should not be misconstrued that it is the AG who is aiding the complainant in the matter.