Legal Experts and Civil Society Activists react to Supreme Court's ruling on offences that are now bailable

The Supreme Court has struck out Section 96 sub section 7 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, which designated rape, defilement, treason, murder and narcotics as non bailable offences, describing it as unconstitutional. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana, the Lawyer who initiated the case at the Supreme Court, Martin Kpebu, said the ruling  is a victory for the rule of law.  

He said the law was an oppressive one, and  striking it out, will be good for Ghana's development. 

Mr. Kpebu had earlier secured a judgement where people who stood surety for persons who jumped bail, will no longer be imprisoned. 

He said his next action is to fight against what he termed ambush trial, whereby prosecutors hide evidence from suspects and accused persons, and only reveal them in the course of the trial.

Following the Supreme Court ruling on the non-bailable offences, a Private legal Practitioner, Abraham Amaleba, said the declaration would have far reaching consequences as far as crime is concerned.  

Human Rights advocate, Bright Appiah believes the Supreme Court has done a very good job by affirming the law and the constitution.  

He told Radio Ghana that this does not mean the lower courts cannot refuse bail depending on the circumstances.  

He said nothing has changed in the position of the law.


GBC