A-G Must Resign...�Nolle Prosequi� Shows Dept Is Weak And Full Of Incompetent Personnel - Lawyer

A private legal practitioner, Lawyer Maurice Ampaw, believes the Attorney-General's Department acted weakly and incompetently in dropping the rape charges against renowned broadcaster, Kwasi Kyei Darkwa (KKD).

Fashionista, KKD, who was committed to stand trial by the Kaneshie Magistrate Court on February 19, 2015, at the Fast Track High Court after he had been charged with raping a 19-year-old girl at the African Regency Hotel, was discharged by the court after the state filed a "nolle prosequi".

A Chief State Attorney, Mrs Yvonne Attakorah-Obuobisa, announced the state’s decision to discontinue with the case at the High Court’s sitting in Accra on Wednesday.

A press release signed by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mrs Marietta Brew Appiah-Opong cited the unwillingness of the victim and her family members to testify as the main reason for discontinuing the case.

But hours after the State's decision, Lawyer Maurice Ampaw says he is not surprised at the way the case ended in court, claiming there were a lot of pastors who intervened in the KKD’s case.

He expressed disappointment in the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Madam Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong for wasting state resources on a case she resoplved to win per the available evidence against KKD, despite the fact that the victim had indicated she was unwilling to testify in the case.

He insisted there was strong and irrefutable evidence and other witnesses who could have helped to bring justice in this particular case even though the rape victim, Ms. Ewuraffe Thompson Orleans had earlier written not to press charges again.

“KOD, Benny Blanco, the victim’s earlier statement, investigators' findings at the crime scene and the doctor’s report are enough witness and evidence to continue pursuing the case. No witness has the right to hide facts and the court could compel a witness to appear; the law has not changed…..A-G department is so weak and there are so many incompetent personnel at the department...I think the A-G must resign for failing to see this case to the end,” he stated.