Gov’t to appeal Ya-Na ruling

Government has decided to appeal against the ruling of an Accra High Court that acquitted and discharged fourteen persons on trial for conspiracy to murder the late Ya Na Yakubu Andani II on Tuesday, 29th March, 2011.

A statement signed by Deputy Minister for Information Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stated that the decision is in line with government’s commitment to ensuring justice in the murder of the Ya Na and his elders.

“It cannot be the case that there was nobody responsible for the murder of the late king, and there must be justice to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book,” the statement noted.

“Government proceeded to court after months of painstaking and fresh investigations that brought revealing evidence for the prosecution of the suspects. And it is government’s view that the case should have gone for full trial.”

According to Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, government remains committed to ensuring that justice prevails.

Meanwhile, President Mills says the decision by the Fast Track High Court to acquit and discharge all 15 suspects standing trial for the murder of the late Dagbon king Ya Na Yakubu Andani II is just a momentary set back to his government’s commitment to find and bring to book the killers of the Dagbon king.

According to the President, the court ruling will not discourage his government from pursuing and prosecuting the murderers of the Dagbon King.

President Mills was commenting on the issue for the first time in public after meeting leaders of Dagbon’s Andani Royal Gate.

Addressing the Presidential press corps at the Castle, Osu, President Mills said government is also prepared to accept fresh information from anyone interested in assisting in finding the killers of the Ya Na.

“We should all be concerned that we cannot account for the loss of life, rather than people talking about judgment and jubilating we should be concerned about the fact that somebody has been killed and we cannot find the killers. If people have information they should be forthcoming with it. But let me assure Ghanaians that we will continue to pursue whatever initiatives that is available to us to ensure that we find the killers of Ya-Na”.

President Mills also announced plans of travelling to the Northern Region, despite threats from some youth for him not to set foot there since his government has failed to deliver justice to them in relation to the death of their king.

“I am considering going to the North and I will let the people of Ghana know what is happening. What has happened is as a result of frustration and hurt by the people of Dagbon. I share their frustration, I share their grief and I share their pain and therefore I will want to use this opportunity to interact with them and know the way forward”.

Source: Citifmonline.com/Ghana