Human rights lawyer and Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Francis Xavier Sosu believes most of the people currently on death row would have had their conviction quashed or mitigated if they had the wherewithal to hire good legal representation.
The MP contended that fees for legal representation in especially indictable cases are beyond the reach of the average citizen as a result, most of them who find themselves in such circumstances are unable to hire good lawyers to defend them and thus, may end up being convicted even if they are innocent.
Referring to an instance in 2006 where 6 out of 12 convicts on death rows filed for appeals and had their sentences quashed, Mr. Sosu said most of those currently on death row would have been free people or have their punishment lessened if they had the resources to file appeals and afford good legal services.
“When you look at studies published, you’ll realize that in 2006, 12 prisoners on death row filed appeals and guess what 50 percent of them had their death conviction overturned. All the 176 people on death row now, if you go to Nsawam prison and you go and check their background and find out whether they have what it takes to even do appeals, you’ll be surprised.
It’s entirely possible that these people who are there now, a lot of them could have had their sentences commuted or their sentences quashed if only they had the capacity, the means to afford legal services,” he argued.
The legislator, who is a lead advocate for the abolition of the death penalty provision, was speaking on the bill currently before Parliament seeking to repeal the law.
The bill was read for the second on the floor last week and MPs debated on it.
While majority of the legislators are in favour of its passage, some kicked against it, arguing that the death penalty should be retained to check the behaviour of citizens.
But speaking on Point of View on Citi TV, Mr. Sosu argued that the law, if not removed, could give room for its abuse in the future.
He added that because of the fallibility of the justice system, it is possible people who are convicted of heinous crimes like murder may be innocent hence, retaining such a law will lead to their wrongful execution which cannot be reversed even if they are later found innocent.
