Fast track remand cases, Attorney General's Department urged

Bolgatanga, July 13, GNA - Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, has appealed to the Attorney General's Department in the region to fast track court procedure on remand cases to decongest the prisons.

He expressed concern about the prolonged remand of suspected criminals by the courts and said that could be a violation of their human rights since some of them might be innocent. Mr. Woyongo made the observation when he visited the Regional Office of the Attorney General's Department, head of departments and ministries in Bolgatanga, to have first hand information on their operations and to help solve their problems.

He appealed to the Attorney General's Department to be circumspect in handling cases concerning the Bawku conflict and urged the department to work with the Regional Coordinating Council and the Police in dealing such cases.

The Regional Sate Attorney, Mr. Samuel Ashirifie assured the minister that the department would liaise with the Judicial Service to expedite action on remand cases in the region. Officials of some of the departments and ministries complained of lack of replacement of retired staff. 13 July 09

Attention recipients, item 03 ends first cast.