NRC Has Not Invited Rawlings

The Head of Former President Rawlings’ legal Team, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor says the ex-President has not been asked to give evidence in any case at the National Reconciliation Commission.

There are still some uncertainties surrounding the appearance of the former President at the Commission. The NRC said recently that it will subpoena Rawlings to give evidence in the murder of three judges and an army officer in 1982 because he had persistently refused to honour earlier invitations.

Kumbuor is challenging that assertion. "Let us be very clear in our mind about that. The ex-president has not refused any invitation to come before the commission for any reason as is alleged in sections of the media. We are bundling issues together but as far as I know, I don't believe the ex-president has been asked to come and give evidence in any case."

The murder of the judges featured prominently at the NRC this week with the appearance of Presidential Spokesman Kwabena Agyepong whose father was among the judges. Mr. Agyepong prayed the commission on Wednesday to recommend the re-opening of investigations into the murder to establish the truth in the matter.

But Kumbuor is surprised by the call because according to him the case had been dealt with long ago.

Dr. Kumbuor explained in an interview with JOYFM that his surprise is due to the fact that the re-opening of a criminal case is not part of the mandate of the commission. He was quick to add that his opinion does not mean that the case of the murdered judges and a retired military officer cannot be re-opened.

"Certainly no body will oppose the re-opening of the case in a criminal matter like of this nature. If anyone is convinced that the investigations then into the murders were not properly done, they can always press for a re-opening. But it is significant that you have very compelling reasons and evidence that was not available at that time.

"The evidence must be strong enough to persuade the criminal justice system not only to re-open investigations into the matter but presentation too."