Isabella Ayaim, an Investigator at the Tema Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Sub-Regional Office, has called upon the clergy to report confessed crimes as it is their duty of care.
In an interview with hostess Nana Asabea on Plan B FM’s Nyansapɔ Fie show, she said the clergy and other respected institutions should not condone criminality when confessed to them, as they owe a duty of care.
She advised people to accept their mistakes and confess early in court, as this helps reduce their sentences.
“When a crime is confessed to the court, it reduces the sentence. However, should one delay confession, they could face the maximum sentence, as they are believed to have wasted the court’s time,” she emphasised.
”Through the court, CHRAJ has the power to subpoena any offender, and therefore, people must be vigilant in their dealings to avoid embezzling funds and engaging in other forms of criminality.
Isabella referred to the Evidence Act, which emphasises that confessions should be made voluntarily, without coercion, inducement, or threat. This ensures the reliability and admissibility of confessional evidence in legal proceedings.
On her part, Elorm Kupomey, also an Investigator at the same institution, said some confessions made boastfully, which are against the rules, will go against them. Regarding the punishment for offences one confesses, she said, “Mostly, one can be imprisoned for between 1 and 25 years, depending on the particular crime one commits. Apart from treason and other high crimes which carry the death penalty, any other offence has a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, calling for a responsible confession.”
By: Longman/Planbfmonline.com
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