According to CDD-Ghana, the verdict is also a setback to efforts put in place to promote decency in Ghana’s politics.

“The verdict in the case of the ‘Delta Thirteen’ may be pleasing to NPP-affiliated organs and their supporters. However, the outcome of the verdict can only foster impunity, undermine the rule of law and reinforce a dangerously negative political culture. This development has dealt another devastating blow to the keen desire of many Ghanaians for justice and the rule of law,” CDD said in a statement.

13 Delta Force members fined GHc1,800 each

[contextly_sidebar id=”ngxaqAFtfyzuO3sluTLZlQP4EKOyVbFF”]A court in Kumasi in the Asanti Region last week, fined the 13 Delta Force members GHc1,800.

They were facing trial on counts of conspiracy to commit crimes and rioting, after they were captured in a video manhandling the  Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Adjei.

According to the Center, the amount was a ‘slap-on-the-wrist’, and may go to encourage many political hooligans to perpetuate crime in the country.

“The ‘slap-on-the-wrist’ punishment given to a group of ruling party-affiliated criminal suspects only reinforces the unfortunate impression that incumbent party members and affiliates who break the law can count on the protection of the powers that be, and would not face the full rigors of the law,” CDD added in the statement.

Control vigilante groups now else…

The Head of Programs at the CDD, Kojo Asante, who further spoke on the matter on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, called on government to curb the menace of vigilante groups in the country immediately, before they get out of hand.

“You cannot convince the ordinary man on the street that this is justice; because just as you are doing this, there are people that have been jailed for owing someone GHc200. So you cannot create this kind of reality in society and expect that law and order will be respected.”

“This is a high profile case and it was completely bungled. I really think that if we don’t draw a line, we will really get to a point that you can’t really control them [vigilante groups] because there are many of them out there,” he added.

Read the CDD’s full statement below:

CDD-Ghana Statement on the Delta Force Verdict

The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) is deeply disappointed with the conclusion to the seven-month long case involving the thirteen members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)-affiliated political vigilante group, the Delta Force.

On Thursday, October 19 2017, the Asokwa Circuit Court in Kumasi in the Ashanti region imposed a fine of GH¢ 1,800 on each of the accused, or in default, serve a 12-month jail term, after they pleaded guilty to a substituted misdemeanor charge of “Conspiracy to Commit a Crime by Rioting”.

Ghanaians will recall that in March of this year, members of the Delta Force, displeased with the appointment of the Ashanti Region Security Coordinator, Mr. George Adjei, forcibly entered his office and physically assaulted him. A video of the incident was widely circulated on social media.

The police arrested twenty suspects and arraigned them before the Kumasi Circuit Court but only thirteen showed up. In addition, the President, Inspector General of Police and Interior Minister assured Ghanaians that such impunity and lawlessness would not be allowed under their watch.

The case against the suspects was aggravated by the brazen show of wanton disregard for law and order on the day of their Court appearance when members of the Delta Forces stormed the Court, verbally assaulted the presiding Judge and forcibly freed the suspects – in the full glare of state security officials.

Subsequently, only token fines were awarded against the freed suspects; another eight suspects who were involved in the violence at the Court were discharged for lack of evidence. While CDD-Ghana acknowledges that the process leading to the verdict followed the rule of law, it is also saddened by the leniency of the judgment.

Considering that activities of political party vigilante groups are still rife, this verdict represents a setback in efforts to promote decency in politics. What is more disturbing with this case is continuous failure of institutions in the criminal justice system to professionally discharge their constitutional duty in order to preserve the integrity of the state and uphold the standards of what is right and wrong in our society.

For instance, with all the intelligence they possessed, the security agencies could have averted the invasion by providing necessary protection for the Coordinator. Similarly, if the security agencies had learned from the first incident, and provided the necessary security at the courthouse, knowing the group in question the gross interference with the cause of justice could have been avoided.

The bungling of such a high profile case by institutions in the criminal justice system can only further undermine trust of the justice system and violates the fundamental rights of Ghanaians that everyone is equal before the law.

The verdict in the case of the ‘Delta Thirteen’ may be pleasing to NPP-affiliated organs and their supporters. However, the outcome of the verdict can only foster impunity, undermine the rule of law and reinforce a dangerously negative political culture. This development has dealt another devastating blow to the keen desire of many Ghanaians for justice and the rule of law.

The ‘slap-on-the-wrist’ punishment given to a group of ruling party-affiliated criminal suspects only reinforces the unfortunate impression that incumbent party members and affiliates who break the law can count on the protection of the powers that be, and would not face the full rigors of the law.

Indeed, it is also a major victory for a baneful phenomenon in Ghanaian politics: political vigilantism and hooliganism – which the Center and other civil society actors have flagged as posing a mortal danger to democratic politics and national peace.

Finally, CDD-Ghana hopes that all stakeholders interested in improving and sustaining democratic governance in Ghana heed the call to action to find a lasting solution to the problem of political vigilantism. And that the institutions of the criminal justice system will act to honor the letter and spirit of the Constitution, and as well serve a notice of deterrence should similar incidents occur in the future.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post ‘Lenient’ Delta Force sentence to breed lawlessness – CDD Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

A representative for the prosecutor in the case, C/Inspt, Hannah Acheampong, pleaded with the court presided over by Her Honor Mary Nsenkyire for an adjournment because the prosecutor, ACP Okyere Darko, was on leave.

The court at a previous hearing had adjourned the case to today, July 13 because the Attorney General advised that they conduct further investigations into the case.

Background

[contextly_sidebar id=”mezauB65CcFnJ86yCbPBInDS1J4nsFRz”]The 13 were arrested after they stormed the office of the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator and allegedly assaulted him in the process.

They subsequently escaped from a Kumasi Circuit Court’s custody after some of their members sparked confusion when they were arraigned and charged with conspiracy to assault a public officer and causing unlawful damage.

The 13 suspects have already been fined GHc 2,400 each, and have been made to sign a bond of good behaviour for escaping lawful custody.

Meanwhile, the fellow group members who aided their escape from court custody had the case against them controversially dropped.

Initial reports indicated that, the Attorney General directed that the case be dropped with a Principal State Attorney, ACP Okyere Darko, saying that Gloria Akuffo had instructed the Police to stop pursuing the matter because they had insufficient evidence against the accused persons.

But the government denied that it sanctioned a decision to drop the charges.

The Ministry of Information in a statement said that the Principal State Attorney in the case did not consult the Attorney General before dropping the charges against the accused.

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By: Lauretta Timah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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No transfer fee involved. No deal to be negotiated with Barcelona. But plenty of clubs lining up to tempt Argentina’s football superstar.

That is the scenario in the United States following LeBron James’s decision to opt out of his contract with top basketball side Miami Heat.

James does his job as well as Messi does his.

He also plays in a sport where one player has a greater impact on a game’s outcome and can lift a franchise, even an entire city.

So his decision to opt out of the final two years of his Heat contract this week has caused a free-for-all of hope, hyperventilating, possibility and infernal noise across much of sporting America.

Miami fans cheer for James – but who will be cheering for him next season?

In Miami, there is panic on the streets as radio talk-shows debate whether James is really going to leave or, as many predict, eventually sign a lucrative new deal.

In other cities, fans are salivating and teams plotting in the hope of luring this once-in-a-generation player who shimmers before them, taunting them with his brilliance, encapsulating everything desired in a player: talent, health, charisma, attitude, championships.

At 6ft 8in and weighing almost 18st, the 29-year-old is a powerful physical package of unusual size and speed who can play all five positions on the court in a given game.

He is also a team player. He finished third in the league in scoring last season, was 11th in assists and led Miami in rebounds.

In four years as a Heat player, James has led them to two National Basketball Association titles and won two Most Valuable Player awards, giving him four in the past six years.

James has guided Miami to two NBA titles in four years

In fact, Miami have advanced to four consecutive NBA Finals in James’s four years there, only the fourth team to achieve the feat.

Off the court, James, an Olympic champion in 2008 and 2012, has been similarly impactful.

Within days of signing the former Cleveland Cavaliers player and two talented team-mates – Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh – in July 2010, Miami released its entire ticket-selling department.

All tickets had been sold and ‘The Heatles’, as the Heat were nicknamed, have played to sell-out arenas and record TV ratings ever since.

Indiana coach Frank Vogel even called James “the Michael Jordan of this generation” after losing to Miami in the play-offs for the third consecutive year.

Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, is widely acclaimed as basketball’s best ever player. 

Like him, James considers winning championships the priority as he looks to cement his name among the greatest to play his sport.

“I want to win, that’s all,” he said, a few days before declaring himself a free agent.

But how will opting out of the final two years of his contract with Miami, worth $42m (£24.6m), advance him to that goal? And will he really leave the Heat?

Teams cannot negotiate with James until 1 July, and cannot officially sign him before 9 July. In the meantime, there is almost constant speculation about his future plans.

Will his good friend Chris Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers guard, help recruit him to the West Coast?

Will another friend and current free agent, Carmelo Anthony, join forces with him and Kobe Bryant at LA’s more storied team, the Lakers?

Are Chicago in play? Houston? New York?

And could he return to Cleveland, the Ohio team where he played the first seven years of his career and near his beloved hometown, Akron?

James left Cleveland in 2010, after seven years with the Cavaliers.

The vehicle he chose to announce his departure – an hour-long, prime-time TV show called The Decision – made him a polarising figure in American sport.

James has since said the off-putting arrogance of The Decision was a mistake, as was his confident response on signing for Miami.

Asked if he would win a title with Miami, he replied: “Not one. Not two. Not three. Not four…”

He stopped at seven but was lampooned given he had not won a single title at that point. No rival is laughing now.

 

Miami will have Shabazz Napier next season, much to the delight of James

As James ponders his future, every tweet and quote is interpreted as some kind of sign.

When his wife Savannah sent out an Instagram message reading “Home sweet home” on returning to Akron for a summer visit, it caused a seismic internet reaction, with many believing it indicated James might be moving back to Cleveland.

Before then, Heat team president Pat Riley, a basketball legend himself, had issued a public challenge to James.

“This is hard, building championships, and you’ve got to stay together if you’ve got the guts and you don’t find the first door and run out of it,” he said.

Many wondered how James might react but, when the NBA draft was held on Thursday, Riley sent a more conciliatory message.

James tweeted in April about his admiration for University of Connecticut point guard Shabazz Napier.

Sure enough, Riley swung a trade with Charlotte Bobcats to get Napier with the 24th pick.

James was delighted, prompting speculation he would remain at Miami after all. “He’s not going anywhere,” ESPN’s Jalen Rose said during the draft coverage.

Complicating the James question are the NBA’s Byzantine rules that manage how and how much teams can spend on players.

Unlike sports such as football, the NBA is financially structured so the richest teams cannot outspend rivals for the best players.

Each team has the same salary cap, which was $58.7m last year.

That is expected to increase to about $63m for the forthcoming season, but any team signing James would have to trade other players to make financial room for him.

James lost out to Tim Duncan’s Spurs in this year’s NBA Finals

Alternatively, current players could be asked to restructure their contracts to take millions less.

Maybe James will take less than he can, too. Some basketball peers have for the sake of winning.

San Antonio star Tim Duncan is the most relevant example. Just last week, he re-signed on the same salary as his previous deal – $10m. He could, perhaps, have earned twice that much.

Such financial sacrifice by Duncan and team-mates such as Tony Parker explain how a small market team like San Antonio could build a team that dethroned Miami in the NBA Finals a couple of weeks ago.

But will James do something similar? He certainly isn’t hurting for money.

Forbes magazine estimated James has a net worth of $250m.

James has reportedly added to that this year, including possibly the largest equity pay-out for an athlete in history.

As part of Apple’s $3bn purchase of Beats Electronics, he would receive $30m from his stake, according to ESPN.

He is hitting his financial prime, too.

His earnings last year were $72.3m, with only boxer Floyd Mayweather ($105m) and football’s Cristiano Ronaldo ($80m) collecting more.

The Decision 2.0, as it is being called, is as much about finance as geography.

James could sign a four-year deal for an estimated $98m with any suitor except Miami.

Because NBA rules value players returning to their current teams, he could also sign a maximum five-year deal worth an estimated $127m with the Heat.

And what might Miami’s two other star players, Wade and Bosh, do?

Wade opted out of his Miami contract on Saturday, with reports that Bosh will soon follow suit.

The three were spotted having dinner on Wednesday at a South Beach restaurant, again sending the social media world into a tizzy.

Their contracts combine for $61m for this coming season – or just below the $63m salary cap.

Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James – who will be at Miami next season?

However, if Wade and Bosh re-sign for less money, it would allow Miami the financial flexibility to add enough new players to compete for another championship.

Then James could be tempted to stay.

Of course, James can set his price within the allowed limits and most teams would gladly pay it.

Think Messi on the open market.

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Source: BBC Sport

The post LeBron James: The race to sign basketball’s biggest star appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Opting out does not mean that James has decided to leave the Heat, sources said.

James, a four-time NBA MVP, had until June 30 to decide whether to opt out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat. He was scheduled to make $20 million next season and had two years and about $42.7 million remaining on his deal.

After Miami’s season-ending loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, James told reporters he would take a vacation with his family before considering his contract options.

James did indicate that he welcomed the opportunity to become a free agent and have the same level of flexibility he was afforded in 2010, when he signed with Miami after spending his first seven years in Cleveland.

“Being able to have flexibility as a professional, anyone, that’s what we all would like,” James said last week. “That’s in any sport, for a football player, a baseball player, a basketball player, to have flexibility and be able to control your future or your present. I have a position to be able to do that. … There’s a lot of times that you’re not in control of your future as a professional.”

In his four seasons in Miami, the Heat have gone to the NBA Finals four times, winning two championships.

The other two Miami stars with early termination options — Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh — have not yet told the Heat or publicly revealed whether they will join James as free agents this summer. Bosh and James both said last week that the three would meet before deciding anything about their respective futures, and it’s been widely speculated that they might have to rework their deals to keep the “Big 3” together in Miami.

Each signed six-year deals when they famously teamed up in Miami in 2010, and all of those deals came with options to become free agents either this summer or in the summer of 2015. Together, they’ve won four Eastern Conference titles and two NBA championships, winning more games than any other team in the league over that span.

“There’s a conversation that will be had between the three of us,” James said last week. “I think it’s only right. I think we’ve earned that for each other, to have a conversation and see what could possibly happen.”

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Source: ESPN

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