It is said that, if he who breaks the law is not punished, he who obeys it is cheated. This is why lawbreakers ought to be punished.
Mark Twain once said that a crime that persevered in a thousand centuries ceases to be a crime, and becomes a virtue. This is the law of customs and custom supersedes all other forms of law.
On Saturday, 10th September 2022, a private legal practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu made some statements on the implications on law enforcement.
In the lawyer’s submission, he explained that even though there have hardly been death sentences, a crime such as smuggling of gold and diamond may attract such a sentence.
The lawyer further recalled that robbery, treason and first-degree murder may attract such a sentence. He explained that smuggling of gold or diamond could be raised to the level of treason hence attracting the death sentence.
Lawyer Martin Kpebu also explained that if Aisha Huang Is found guilty of mining without a license, she could face a fine of 120,000ghs or a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 25years.
Considering the nature of allegations against Aisha Huang, Martin Kpebu, Professor Aning and Lawyer Appiah Kubi agreed that there can be a non-partisan approach to legal reforms.
The panel members agreed that there was the need to tighten some sentences to make them more severe as a way of discouraging persons who commit such crimes.
Lawyer Appiah Kubi also indicated that the term of imprisonment for mining without a license could be reviewed to the level of treason since future generations are likely to be denied their natural resources as a result of the destruction caused by galamsey.
What do our laws say on holding two passports? Has our law enforcement discouraged galamsey and other criminal activities? Should the country encourage legal reforms to provide adequate sentences targeted toward serving as a deterrent to others?
Content created and supplied by: JUKELAFRICA (via Opera
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