Failure to Comply with Court Orders Leads to Serious Consequences.
An Accra High Court recently took a significant legal step by issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the CID Boss, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie, and the Director-General of the Legal and Prosecution unit of CID. The decision came after both officers failed to appear in court despite being charged with contempt.
The presiding judge, Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, made this decision based on evidence showing that the individuals in question had been properly served by court officials. The case revolves around a suit filed by a car rental company, Sureword Global Outreach, against the CID Director General and the Legal and Prosecution unit’s Director General.
Background details reveal that on November 14, 2023, the Police impounded a Toyota Fortuner registered as 2925-20 after discovering substances suspected to be illicit drugs. Upon learning that the driver, Julius Noagbe, had rented the vehicle from Sure Rental, a call was made to inform the vehicle owners about its detention.
Sureword Global Outreach, in its affidavit, explained that Sure Rental is a sister company and emphasized that it should not be held criminally liable for its client’s actions during the rental period. The company sought the court’s intervention to compel the police to release its vehicle, citing significant financial losses due to the inability to utilize its investment.
Despite an earlier court order directing the respondents to release the vehicle. At the same time, investigations continued, and the Police disregarded this order, causing the applicant to file a contempt case at the High Court. During the court proceedings on April 15, 2024, Counsel for Sureword Global Outreach, Abraham Arthur, argued for the CID boss and Legal and Prosecution Unit’s Director General to be cited for contempt for their failure to honor the court’s order.
Justice Lydia Osei Marfo emphasized the principle that no one is above the law and subsequently issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the two individuals, highlighting the serious consequences of non-compliance with court directives.