Private legal practitioner, Elikplim Agbemava, has lambasted the High Court judge hearing the Gregory Afoko contempt case against two top police personnel for not using her full powers.

In an interview on Ghanacrusader Radio, Elikplim Agbemava expressed sadness at the situation where the Inspector-General of Police and the CID boss have consistently refused to appear before her Worship Justice Jennifer Dodoo.

“But I won’t feel sad for the judge. She has all the powers to deal with the two. I won’t buy her lamentations,” he said.

Lawyer Elikplim observed that the development is a very dangerous one for the country’s democracy and the rule of law.

According to Mr Agbemava, the “High Court itself is complicit [in this matter]. It has failed to use its full powers. The court has failed to utilise its powers and nobody should cry for them.”

“Nobody is above the law. The law must work. This case is against them in their personal capacities. This is contempt in facie curiae. The judge should have quickly issued a bench warrant for their arrest. How do we explain this, that for over 60 days, these potential contemnors have not appeared in court?” he quizzed.

Lawyer Elikplim believes the saga involving the IGP and the CID in this Gregory Afoko matter is a political game played which should not attract the emotions of Ghanaians.

He said he will still give the judge some time as she has October to prove Ghanaians wrong.

The Inspector-General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu and the Director-General of Police CID, COP Maame Tiwaa Addo Danquah for the third time failed to show up at an Accra High Court where they have been cited for contempt.

Justice Jennifer Dodoo had indicated of giving a ruling if the two officers were present during two previous sittings when the matter was called. She expressed helplessness when she indicated that she would have issued a warrant for their arrest if they were ordinary citizens.

Gregory Afoko’s lawyers initiated the contempt proceedings against the two top police officers for refusing to release Afoko despite all bail conditions set by the High Court in March 2019 were met.

Justice Dodoo had indicated of giving her ruling following the absence of the IGP and CID boss on July 22.

When the case was called today in the judge’s chambers to be heard in camera, the IGP and CID Director-General were both not present again, forcing her to adjourn to October 10.