A sizable throng gathered in front of the Judicial Service Department, where a criminal case against Savelugu Member of Parliament (MP), Jacob Iddriss, for alleged illegal possession of firearms is being heard by the Tamale high court.
The Member of Parliament, who is also the second accused, was issued a bench warrant by the court last Friday for failing to show up in court twice.
But, the second accused’s attorney asked for the bench warrant to be lifted today in court, stating that his client has consistently shown up for hearings and that his absence on those few instances wasn’t deliberate.
The accused, he continued, is interested in the case and is always eager to work with the court to take it to a successful conclusion.
Court Justice Richard Kogyapwah responded to the defence attorney by saying that the defendant’s justification for his absence was insufficient.
He did, however, grant the counsel’s request, noting that the warrant had not been executed.
Haruna Iddrisu, Member of Parliament for Tamale South and one of the defense counsels has been speaking to the media since the court granted their request.
“We are here to solidarize with our colleague MP. For good reasons, the judge exercised lawful discretion and justification that he was not convinced of his absence in court on 31st March and accordingly issued a bench warrant for his arrest. Today, counsel for the defendant prayed that that decision for a bench warrant is rescinded, and accordingly it has been granted. ”
Background
On December 9, 2020, police in the Northern Region raided the Savelugu NDC party office in response to gunshots that killed one person in the constituency.
During the search, police discovered an AK-47 rifle and 60 rounds of ammunition in the party’s office, which are suspected of being used to commit a crime.
