Tsatsu takes battle to Africa

Accra, Jan. 31, GNA - Mr Tsatsu Tsikata, Former Chief Executive of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has taken his legal battle to the African Commission on Human and People's Rights alleging Ghana Government's determination to jail him at all cost.

In a write up made available to the GNA, Mr Tsikata states that the way the Prosecution was going about the case, manifested clearly the determination of the Government of Ghana to ensure that the only possible outcome of the criminal proceedings against him would be his incarceration, without any reference to the facts and legal issues. He said the basic principle of not charging any person with an offence, which at the time of its commission did not constitute an offence, was being breached.

He said the Police attempted to arrest him at a church hall, where he had gone to worship on Sunday March 17 2002.

Mr Tsikata said he was, therefore, seeking the intervention of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights, since his personal liberty was in danger of being infringed upon.

He has also appealed to the to the Commission to invoke Rule 111 of its Rules of Procedure on Provisional Measures and to request the Republic of Ghana not to proceed further with his trial until the Commission heard his case.

Mr Tsikata said: 93No harm or prejudicial effect whatsoever will be caused by such a stay of proceedings, which will rather enable important human rights issues to be determined authoritatively by the Commission and ensure that the conduct of such criminal proceedings in Africa are guided by an authoritative determination in the interest of fairness, respect for the rights of people and justice."