Selective dispensation of justice is inimical to societal progress and advancement, and an affront to natural justice. It breads discontent and animosity and serves as a catalyst to societal anarchy and disintegration. When it raises its ugly head, it must be condemned without fear or favour in order to preserve the peace and harmony of our land. At times I ask myself questions about the creditilty of our State institutions and their commitment to the development of the nation. It appears some of our State institutions lack the credibility and commitment needed to help move our nation forward.

Most of the leaders of these institutions come across as persons who are interested not in moving the nation forward, but rather promoting the agenda of transient governments. What the leaders of these institutions fail to fathom is that the strength and professionalism of their respective institutions are sine qua non in determining the success of governments and nations. In fact, a major contributory factor regarding our lack of progress as a nation is that government appointees, in their quest to payback their appointing authorities—in most cases the President, throw their sense of patriotism to the dogs.

In deepening our democratic culture, the relevance of certain State institutions such as the Military, Police, and Bureau of National Investigations cannot be overlooked. However, in recent times, it appears with the exception of the Military, the Police Service together with the Bureau of National Investigations have lost their sense of patriotism, and instead, have been engaging in selective administration of justice. In fact, the Police Service and the Bureau of National Investigations in ensuring law and order in the country appear to be very bias, always dancing to the tune of incumbent governments. Under this current regime, it appears both the Police and BNI are very bias towards members of the National Democratic Congress. Why are they very swift to act in matters concerning opposition elements, but dither to act in those involving apparatchiks of the NDC government? I don’t understand!

They have to be seen to be professional in the discharge of their duties, and ensure that the administration of justice is even regardless of one’s political leaning. When it comes to enforcing the laws of the land, they, in most cases defer justice when the matter involves members of the ruling NDC, but dispense justice with alacrity when the matter involves opposition elements. Just refresh your mind to the spontaneity and alacrity with which the BNI effected the arrest of Mr. Owusu Bempah—an estranged member of the NDC—but now a leading figure of the National Democratic Party when he alleged graft against Mrs. Naadu Mills.

The leadership of the Police Service and BNI should understand that it might not be the actions or inactions of politicians or the media or miscreants in society that can compromise the stability of the nation, but also their perceived bias and unprofessional attitude towards some section of the citizenry. Citizens are more likely to take the law into their own hands when they perceive unfairness and bias on the part of law enforcers.

Apart from the Owusu Bempah saga, there have been several misguided pronouncements involving NDC members which the law enforcers grossly overlooked. Before the run-up to the 2012 general elections, Kennedy Agyepong—a senior member and a member of Parliament of the opposition New Patriotic Party was arrested by the BNI for inciting ethnic tension in the country, but when Nii Lantey Vanderpuije—a leading figure of the National Democratic Congress was caught in a similar web, these institutions were dead silent. Obviously, this is selective justice and does not augur well for the development of the nation.

Again, immediately after the declaration of the 2012 election’s result by Dr. Afari Gyan, Kakra Essamuah—a leading member of the NDC party said on Asempa fm’s political programme—“Ekosii Sen” that he would support a coup d’état should the Supreme Court rule in favour of the petitioners. Till today, the police and BNI have not found it necessary to even call him for questioning, let alone instituting legal charges against him. Folks, isn’t supporting a coup d’état a treasonable offense under the constitution of the State? Why didn’t they act then?

Similarly, just last week, a blood thirsty NDC communication team member—Gabby Assumeng brazenly declared that there will be a civil war in the country if the Supreme Court declares Nana Akufo-Addo as the legitimate president in the last elections. Strangely, this guy is walking free. Can you imagine the animal farm kind of politics going on in the country? This attitude of the law enforcement agencies is absolutely unprofessional and divisive.

The security forces, especially the police and BNI have to help in strengthening our young democracy. When they continue in doing the bidding of ruling governments at the expense of the progress of the nation, aggrieved victims are likely to take the laws into their own hands—an unwanted trajectory that we must all guard against. We expect the police to protect all of us by ensuring the maintenance of law and order in the country. Anybody who crosses the line has to be dealt with within the confines of our laws, and not within the confines of political affiliations. Ghana is for us all, therefore, all of us owe it a responsibility in ensuring that she becomes a distinguished member among the comity of nations. For our law enforcers to live beyond reproach, and rubbish the label on them as executers of skewed justice, they should hurriedly bring Gabby Assumeng to justice; he has clearly crossed the line. God bless Ghana!!

Source: Kingsley Nyarko, Psychologist, Accra (kingsleynyarko73@yahoo.com)