Remand prisoners hail SC ruling on non-bailable offences

Remand Prisoners at the Koforidua Prison in the Eastern region have expressed their excitement over Supreme Court’s ruling that persons accused of crimes such as murder, rape and narcotics can henceforth be granted bail.

According to the prisoners, the ruling is a victory for Ghana’s democracy and protection of human rights.

Some of the remand prisoners who spoke to Starr News Friday said, they have been on remand for between one to three years without evidence to convict them while they have pleaded not guilty to their offences.

According to them, conditions at the prison are inhumane adding that some of the remand prisoners have developed skin rashes due to excessive heat and unsanitary conditions at the facility.

They claim food prepared for them is horrible while access to basic healthcare is very bad.

The Supreme Court on Thursday declared that cases such as rape, defilement, narcotics are now bailable.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court by a 5-2 Majority decision struck down Section 96(7) of Act 30 declaring the law on non-bailable offences unconstitutional.

The judgment comes more than one year after a private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu filed a suit on 16 February 2015, asking the apex court of the land to declare that Section 96(7) of the Criminal Procedure and Juvenile Justice Act is unconstitutional.