The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, to publish records of investigations into illegal mining involving persons across the political divide to ensure transparency.
It said the publication should include updates on investigations into the National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Joseph Yamin, and the party’s National Vice Chairman, Mr Yakubu Abanga, over their alleged involvement in illegal mining.
The caucus made the call following the conviction and sentencing of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako, to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour by an Accra High Court on Monday for his involvement in illegal mining.
In a statement signed by the Minority Leader, Mr Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus said Dr Ayine had yet to provide an update on the investigations into Mr Yamin and Mr Abanga after formally writing to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The statement also cited the Member of Parliament (MP) for Prestea Huni Valley, who has been reported to be allegedly involved in illegal mining, and the MP for Asutifi North, who was arraigned for allegedly obstructing an anti-galamsey task force before being granted bail of GH¢150,000.
The caucus described Mr Boasiako’s conviction and imprisonment as “selective justice”, arguing that “a government that is serious of ending selective justice must be prepared to prosecute its own with the same vigour it has shown here.”
It further criticised the decision of the High Court, presided over by Justice Kocuvie-Tay, not to refer constitutional questions to the Supreme Court under Article 130 of the 1992 Constitution for interpretation.
Citing the 2016 case involving Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, the caucus argued that the High Court’s decision in Mr Boasiako’s case raised concerns about democracy and the rule of law.
“If trial courts may decline referral whenever they are personally persuaded of their own correctness, then Article 130 is rendered a dead letter, accessible in theory, illusion in practice,” the statement said.
The caucus called on the judiciary to reaffirm the threshold for constitutional referrals under Article 130 to ensure trial courts do not disregard Supreme Court precedents.
It also urged consistency and transparency in the administration of justice and reaffirmed its support for Mr Boasiako.
“The Minority Caucus will continue to monitor this matter, including any appeal, and will pursue every lawful and constitutional avenue available to us to see that justice is done and that the defects that have robbed this judgment of its legitimacy are addressed fully, transparently, and without fear,” the statement added.
BY BENJAIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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