Coronavirus Outbreak: Suspend cases involving prisoner movement – Judicial Service to courts

The Judiciary Service has ordered the suspension of cases involving the movement of convicted and remand prisoners from the prisons to the courts.

The service said in criminal appeals, the Courts should dispense with the appearance of the appellants who are in prison custody.

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This comes on the back of a directive by President Akufo-Addo for measures to be put in place by institutions to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The suspension of prisoner movement to and from prison is among a number of measures put in place by the service to prevent the spread of the novel covid-19 virus

A press release issued by the service announced that courts will practice strict case management techniques such that only parties and witnesses in cases listed to be heard on particular dates would be allowed into the courtroom to avoid large gatherings.

“Judges and Magistrates should endeavour to adjourn cases to specific times on given dates, to limit the number of people that will be allowed into the courtroom,” the statement said.

The statement noted: “Judges and Magistrates should only hear cases which are of extreme urgency and as far as possible, exercise great restraint in remanding accused persons, in order to avoid overcrowding the prisons and police cells.”

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“Judges and Magistrates should suspend the hearing of cases involving the movement of convicted and remand prisoners from the prisons to the Courts. In criminal appeals, the Courts should dispense with the appearance of the appellants who are in prison custody.”

Star News