Minority Accuses Government Of Selective Justice In Akonta Case, Demands Equal Enforcement

The Parliamentary Minority Caucus has accused the government of applying justice selectively, following the High Court’s ruling in _The Republic v. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Akonta Limited_.

Deputy Minority Leader Hon. Patricia Appiagyei made the claim on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday while reading a statement on the judgment.

She said the case highlights a broader concern about fairness under the law. According to her, the state's institutions appear to act swiftly and severely when the target is a member of the political opposition.

“The machinery of the state moves fastest and lands hardest when the target is the political opposition,” Hon. Appiagyei stated.

“The Minority Caucus has taken note of the judgment delivered by the High Court in the case of _The Republic v. Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and Akonta Limited_.”

The Minority argued that the issue is bigger than one prosecution. She said democracy thrives when the losing side trusts that rules are clear and enforced equally, regardless of political affiliation.

“If this government is serious about ending selective justice, then it must prosecute its own with equal vigour,” she said.

“When the law is applied only when convenient, then no citizen’s rights are secure, no matter which party they belong to. Public trust in institutions that must outlive any single administration is eroded.”

Following the ruling, the Caucus made four demands:

1. *Attorney-General*: Publish the government’s full record of enforcement actions on illegal mining across all political lines to prove the law is being applied “without fear or favour.”

2. *Court of Appeal*: Review with “equal and unflinching scrutiny” issues raised in the case, including the denial of counsel, refusal to refer, and bail matters.

3. *Judiciary*: Reaffirm the standard for constitutional referral, specifically referencing the Supreme Court’s ruling in the _Zenator_ case.

4. *Ghanaians*: Demand that “the standards which cleared Mr. Tsikata’s name in 2006 be demanded with equal conviction today.”

“Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done, and it must be done equally,” Hon. Appiagyei concluded.