The former Ashanti Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Pyne, recently voiced sharp criticism over what he sees as excessive bail conditions in corruption-related cases. Speaking with a mix of concern and humor, he painted a vivid picture of the growing severity in bail demands, joking that “maybe they would have to bring Jesus Christ himself as a bail condition” if things continue on this trajectory.
His frustration centered on the recent GH¢800 million bail set for Osei Assibey Antwi, the former National Service Authority boss, a figure close to him. “Imagine my own brother Osei Assibey — GH¢800 million bail and six sureties to be justified. That is a lot. We may laugh about it, but it is no joke,” Mr. Pyne lamented, emphasizing the staggering nature of these demands.
While Mr. Pyne acknowledged the importance of holding public officials accountable, he argued that bail conditions should not cross the line into punishment or become impossible for suspects to meet. “I believe bail conditions shouldn’t be punitive because we can even take people’s passports.
There’s no way someone can travel with a passport or even apply for a new one without their biometric data showing up,” he explained, pointing to less extreme alternatives that could ensure suspects remain available for trial.
With a sharp wit, Mr. Pyne imagined the future if the current trends persist. “With what is happening now, maybe when NPP comes into power, we’ll build EOCO offices in every district, office by office, department by department,” he quipped, hinting at an expansive push for prosecutions that might overwhelm the system.
In closing, Mr. Pyne urged authorities to strike a balance. He called for fairness and measured judgment in the pursuit of justice, warning that excessively harsh bail terms risk eroding public trust in the legal process and questioned whether justice would truly be served under such conditions.
Source: Richard Nana Appiah Kubi