‘There seems to be selective justice in some cases’ – Kofi Bentil

Senior lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has expressed concerns over potential selective justice under the current government, arguing that the administration's handling of prosecutions could indicate political bias. In an interview on JoyNews' Newsfile, Mr Bentil stated that those accusing the government of selective justice have sufficient grounds to make their case, while also acknowledging that those who disagree could present arguments defending the government.

He emphasized that the government's record over its four-year mandate would ultimately serve as the strongest evidence.

According to Mr Bentil, during the first two years of the administration, there were already indications that the government had been more aggressive in prosecuting individuals associated with the opposition compared to those within its own ranks. He suggested that this could be viewed as evidence of selective justice. Democracy under threat, Mr Bentil warned, cautioned against waiting for democratic institutions and freedoms to be significantly weakened before taking action.

He stressed the importance of citizens remaining vigilant and working to protect and expand the democratic space. His comments came in response to concerns raised at a recent 'Democracy Under Attack' demonstration by the NPP, which focused on alleged selective justice and perceived threats to Ghana's democratic governance. Mr Bentil highlighted that one of the main messages of the demonstration was the need to draw attention to these concerns and to ensure that citizens resist any attempts by any government or president to undermine democratic principles.