ORAL is working, but rights of accused must be respected – Dr. Srem-Sai

Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, says ORAL is working, but the rights of accused persons must be respected in all prosecutions.

Speaking during a television interview on Joy News on Sunday, he maintained that while the government’s ORAL process is ongoing, prosecuting authorities must avoid public commentary that could prejudice court proceedings or undermine fairness for accused persons.

He stressed that the justice system requires discipline and restraint, especially in politically sensitive cases.

Dr. Srem-Sai indicated that he prefers to operate away from media attention, arguing that silence often protects the integrity of ongoing legal processes.

According to him, courtroom proceedings should be allowed to take their natural course without unnecessary external interference or commentary.

He also referenced ongoing proceedings involving NPP’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, noting that the matter has progressed quickly within a short timeframe.

“We have finished with Wontumi. Wontumi is supposed to open his defence next week,” he said.

He further questioned the pace at which the case has been handled, stressing the importance of procedural fairness in criminal trials.

“When has it happened before that a case has gone through trial in the middle of January to mid-March, two months,” he stated.

Dr. Srem-Sai insisted that ORAL remains active but must operate strictly within legal and constitutional boundaries. He warned that public statements by prosecutors or officials could create perceptions of bias or influence public opinion against accused persons before final judicial determination.

“So ORAL is going on, just that if you’re prosecuting people, you have to respect their rights,” he explained.

He added that the justice system must avoid any actions that could compromise fairness, noting that accused persons are entitled to due process regardless of the nature of allegations against them.

“You cannot come to the public and be saying things which will end up becoming prejudicial,” he said.

Dr. Srem-Sai emphasised that court processes should be respected without external pressure or commentary.

“So we leave the court and we leave everything there and we come out because we believe that an accused person deserves fairness,” he added.