Alhaji Kamal-Deen Abdulai, the Deputy National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has slammed Chief Justice nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, over his justification of Ataa Ayi’s 70-year jail term.
According to Kamal-Deen Abdulai, Baffoe-Bonnie’s justification is appalling and very low.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, November 11, Alhaji Kamal-Deen Abdulai stated, “I chanced on something when watching the vetting process, and I was appalled. A judge who is supposed to be the head of affairs of the judicial system of our country said he had to give somebody 70 years because he was afraid to die when he came out, he would attack him and his family. I was surprised. That comment was very low”.
“Your own judicial oath tells you to ensure that you work within the tenets of the law, and you tell me that for fear you gave somebody 70 years because you didn’t want to give 30 years for him to come and attack you? The ratio he gave was flat,” he added.
His comments follow, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s justification of his reasoning behind sentencing notorious armed robber Atta Ayi to 70 years in prison.
According to Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the lengthy sentence for Atta Ayi was to protect his family.
He explained that if he had given Ataa Ayi 30 years, when he came back, his family would be the first the notorious armed robber would have attacked.
Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, November 10, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie explained, “I gave him 70 years. And what I told myself was that if Atta Ayi was given 30 years and he comes back, my family would be the first he would attack. By the time he comes back after 70 years, I will be dead and gone,” he said.
It will be recalled, Atta Ayi was labelled as Ghana’s most notorious at the time, with a bounty placed on him.
He masterminded numerous armed robberies, stealing money, cars, jewellery, and other valuables and also shot victims.
The Police, led by ACP Kofi Boakye, managed to arrest some members of his gang after fierce gun battles that left others dead.
Atta Ayi was later convicted on multiple counts and jailed in 2005.
According to reports, Atta Ayi has now been described as a changed man.
He has since been pleading with the government to grant him a pardon.
Furthermore, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s revelation has ignited comments on social media, with a netizen accusing the acting Chief Justice of sentencing Atta Ayi out of fear and not Justice.
A netizen wrote, “This is not justice, let’s put partisanship aside. You’re jailing people just because you’re afraid of them hurting your family? Seriously???”.
Some other Ghanaians on X reacting to the comments made by Baffoe-Bonnie stated, “It’s a very disappointing mindset for any judge to have. Judges should just work according to what the law says and not sentence people on personal terms and fears. Guys like Ataa Ayi have people on the street, and if they want to harm, I am sure they would have done so a long time ago”.
One X user added, “This is a clear violation of due process and fairness. Judges are required by law and ethics to be impartial. Sentences must be based on the law and the facts of the case, not personal fears or emotions. His judgment on that case must be reviewed”.
“Meaning, the guy didn’t deserve 70 70-year sentence, but cox of his fears & insecurities, he gave him a life sentence(70)? He expects him to die there? Isn’t there presidential amnesty? W@ if he gets one? Or he’ll block it til he Baffoe dies or Ataa Ayi dies? Wei yedi y3 chief Justice?”, an X user added.