Individual’s definition of justice will lead to anarchy - Kwesi Pratt

Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwasi Pratt Jnr., has reminded those clamouring for justice in every court case to be mindful of the fact that justice is defined by the judiciary and not by how they may perceive it to be.

Kwesi Pratt was responding to the statement attributed to the Lead Counsel for the 5 convicted New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth in Tamale, Nana Obiri Boahene, that the ruling was a “travesty of justice” since the riotous incident involved more than 30 people, but only NPP activists were rounded up by the police.

The Sunyani-based lawyer in an interview with Peacefmonline.com, also indicated that the evidence adduced in court by the prosecutors was in sharp contrast with the ruling.

“…Some (victims) said they were shot, but no medical doctor testified during the trial…no medical record was presented in court to buttress claims or assertions by alleged victims of the incident…” Obiri Boahene said.

In response to the demand for justice to be served, Mr. Pratt stated on HotFM that: “nobody knows the definition of justice in the constitution of Ghana; only the judiciary can define justice and deliver it”.

He added that: “if individuals can define justice in their own way, then we are moving into a state of anarchy, and the only one way of determining justice is the judiciary; other than that, people will come up with different definitions of justice after the Supreme Court has passed a ruling on a case”.

He stressed that justice is dispensed by the judges, adding that, the security agencies are only law enforcement bodies mandated to ensure that the laws of the country are adhered to by the citizenry, and not abused.