Regional News of Friday, 16 May 2014

Source: GNA

Police express discomfort with conduct of judges

The Ashanti Regional Police command has expressed discomfort with the eagerness of some judges to free suspected robbers put before their courts on bail.

They insist this has become a disincentive to the crime fight and lowering the morale of the officers and men who go to every length to arrest those dangerous criminals.

Police Chief Superintendent Peter Baba, the Regional Crime Officer, conveyed the sentiment at a media briefing in Kumasi on Thursday.

He complained of an instance where a police investigator has been cited for contempt of court for refusing to sign a bail granted to two accused robbers, because he found that to be wrong and improper.

The officer took that position because the facts of the case were neither read in court nor the pleas of the accused taken.

The two, Isaac Asare and Emmanuel Asamoah, had been arrested in connection with a robbery incident at Fowoade in the Kwabre East District but were granted Ghc10,000.00 bail with a surety each when arraigned to make their next court appearance on May 30.

Chief Supt Baba said the regional command has taken up the matter with the Supervising High Court Judge and the Attorney-General's Department.

He said what they found disturbing was that the hardened criminals returned to their bad ways after they are granted bail.