News
Man, 40, freed after 9yrs in jail
40-year old man, who has been on remand for nine years without trial at the Sunyani Central Prisons, finally gained his freedom when the Justice for All Programme (JFAP) got him released unconditionally, last Friday.
Mr Pooley Maalor, who was charged for murder, had his docket which was forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, missing.
Also, the investigator handling the case died along the way, leaving in the prison without trial for many years.
The Justices, who sat on his case described Maalor as locked and forgotten.
After listening to his case, the jury was left with no other option than to discharge him unconditionally, claiming that his rights have been violated.
Information made available to the Spectator indicated that the victim was 31 years when he was sent on remand.
But the leader of JFAP, Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah, in an interview indicated that if later information proves otherwise, he shall be brought back to face Justice.
She announced that 16 remand cases were dealt with on the day, with one person discharged unconditionally and one convicted while nine others granted bail.
Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah, who is also the National chairperson for the Steering Committee for JFAP and Justice of the Appeal Court in the Ashanti Region, added that some inmates who were mentally unstable were also referred to psychiatry hospital for treatment.
She expressed gratitude to all partners, especially POs Foundation for their support in fast tracking criminal trials in the country.
She then thanked all the Justices on the day for the speedy trial and dedication to duty, including Justice Francis Koffie and senior state Attorney, Michael Baffi
The Executive Director of POs Foundation and Facilitator of JFAP, Jonathan Osei Owusu, noted that statistics from Ghana Prisons Service indicated that the programme has helped to reduce remand population from 33 per cent in 2017 to 10.5 per cent currently.
Maalor was excited for his release and thanked the JFAP for the kind gesture.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Sunyani.