The Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae has cautioned the public to be wary of their utterances, especially on national issues.
According to him, the State guarantees everybody the right to freedom of speech but it should not be used to cause damage to the State.
“We should be very careful and measured in our utterances because we have freedom of speech but it should not affect the national-territorial integrity of the state especially looking at what is happening in the sub-region”. He appeared on the GTV Breakfast Show.
His statement was in response to the Daily Graphic’s report that lawyer Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor has been charged with treason felony; remanded in police custody for two weeks by the Court presided by Mrs. Eleanor Kakra Barnes-Botchwey for “threatening a coup”.
Dr. Osae explained treason felony as an attempt to overthrow the executive powers of the State. According to him, treason felony is regarded as a first-degree offence According to Article 19 of Ghana’s Constitution because it is an attempt to overthrow the Constitution and is punishable by death.
He also warned the lawyers of Barker- Vormawor against media trial.
“The forum of the case is the Courtroom. You don’t do media trial, if you do, you raise unnecessary tension” he opined.
However, he commended the Police for carrying out their duty and added their action must deter others.
“It is a deterrent signal that look, if you try it, we’ll deal with you and it is important we send that signal”. he added.
