Free Tsatsu Movement distances itself from threatening text messages

Accra, June 29, GNA - The Free Tsatsu Movement has dissociated itself from threatening text messages that are allegedly being sent to members of the judicial system in Ghana in respect of Mr Tsatsu Tsikata's highly contentious incarceration.

A statement from the Spokespersons of the Movement, Prof. Abeeku Brew-Hammond and Mr Kyeretwie Opoku said the: "Movement wish to affirm our belief in the use of legal means to advance our cause of seeing Mr Tsatsu Tsikata freed without further delay."

It said: "Our attention has been drawn to threatening text messages being sent to members of the judicial system in Ghana in respect of Mr Tsatsu Tsikata's highly contentious incarceration.

"We wish to unequivocally dissociate ourselves and the Free Tsatsu Movement from the said text messages," adding, "we further wish to condemn such threatening acts and call upon the people of Ghana and our friends abroad to join us in using all the legal means at our disposal to ensure that Mr Tsatsu Tsikata is freed as soon as possible". The statement asserted the fact that from all the information at its disposal, it firmly believed that Mr Tsikata was innocent and should be freed.

It said the Movement was convinced that the conduct of the trial judge, Mrs Justice Henrietta Abban in rushing to judgement was extremely irregular and in the circumstances unfair and unjust when the Supreme Court proceedings were pending and more so since she had herself decided earlier to await the outcome of those proceedings. The Movement said Mrs Justice Abban's attempt to compel Mr Tsikata to be his own counsel also infringed the constitutional right of an accused to counsel of his own choice.

It, therefore, reaffirmed its belief in the urgency of Mr Tsikata being freed without further delay and pledged to continue the struggle for freedom and justice in Ghana for all.