In response to recent correspondence from the Attorney General of Ghana, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has issued a directive to judges concerning the jurisdictional boundaries of police prosecutors, revealing a new GH¢500,000 police prosecution limit
The directive comes as a proactive measure to address concerns raised regarding the appropriate handling of cases within the legal framework.
The Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, conveyed in a letter that police prosecutors are now restricted to handling cases with a monetary value not surpassing GH¢500,000.00 This limitation aims to ensure a more streamlined and efficient legal process. Additionally, cases exceeding this financial threshold are mandated to be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for further assessment and legal counsel.
The Attorney-General underscored the importance of adhering to these guidelines, emphasizing instances where lower court judges may have been unaware of the prescribed limits. He highlighted concerns raised by the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding cases where police prosecutors had overstepped their jurisdictional boundaries. The Chief Justice’s directive seeks to clarify these limits and uphold the integrity of the legal system.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo remarked new GH¢500,000 police prosecution limit
I am by this letter bringing to the attention of the Judicial Service the limits imposed on Police Prosecutors to enable lower court judges to refuse to entertain criminal cases brought by Police Prosecutors with monetary value beyond the permissible limits without advice from the Office of the Attorney-General. – Chief Justice remarked.
