The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Director, has justified the decision by its former National Chairman, Freddie Blay, to defend four accomplices of ‘galamsey’ queen Aisha Hunag in court.
Mr. Richard Ahiagbah said people’s political affiliations should not deny anyone the right to justice and fair representation in court.
“I don’t think there would be any miscarriage of justice because the lawyers in the case are NPP related or have affiliation with the New Patriotic Party.
The idea is that every client deserves a representation; our laws allow for that so the clients have exercised their right to have a legal representation,” he told JoyNews in an interview.
A feeling of surprise erupted in the Criminal Court 5 on Tuesday when it was announced that former NPP National Chairman Freddie Blay will be representing four accomplices of Aisha Huang who are being held by the state for their involvement in illegal mining.
Lucy Ekeleba Blay, a private legal practitioner, announced in court that she was holding brief for Freddie Blay in the case of the four accomplices of Aisha Huang namely; Gao Jin Cheng, Lu Qi Jun, Haibin Go and Zhang Zhipeng.
Aisha Huang herself is being represented by NPP stalwart, Nkrabea Effah Dartey.
This move by Mr Blay has sparked discussions among the public as many say it suggests lack of principles and defeats government’s fight against the canker.
But Mr. Ahiagbah has urged Ghanaians to rather concentrate on the outcome of the case.
“Those [lawyers] happen to be people affiliated with the NPP; I don’t think that necessarily changes the rules of the court… I think that we should pay attention and see that the due process is occasioned and the outcome is fair to our country.”
The High Court, on Tuesday, denied two applications for bail by lawyers for the Chinese illegal mining kingpin.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, and the Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, were in court to lead government’s efforts in the prosecution of Aisha Huang and others being held for illegal mining.
Meanwhile, the Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, says the governing party should be concerned about the perception the decision by its former national chairman will create towards government’s commitment to the fight against illegal mining.
