Appeal judges will decide Wontumi case based on record, not public commentary – Edudzi

Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, has called on the public to allow due process to prevail in the case involving Ashanti Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

Tameklo said any appeal filed in the case would be determined by the evidence presented before the trial court and the legal grounds raised, rather than public commentary or sentiments surrounding the matter.

Speaking on TV3, he explained that an appeal amounts to a rehearing of a case, where appellate judges review the record of proceedings to establish whether the lower court arrived at the correct decision.

“The success or otherwise on appeal would largely be based on the grounds formulated and the nature of the evidence that was put before the trial court,” he said.

He noted that although appellate judges assume the position of the trial judge in reviewing the case, they rely solely on the records from the trial because they do not have the opportunity to personally observe witnesses who testified.

“Appeal is by way of rehearing. The appellate courts are put in the place of the trial judge. They will be looking purely at the record,” Tamakloe stated.

The NPA boss stressed that discussions about the matter should be informed by legal principles rather than speculation or public opinion.

Addressing claims that the prosecution did not present direct evidence, Tameklo said criminal proceedings are guided by established legal standards, including the burden of proof and burden of persuasion.

He explained that while the prosecution is required to prove an accused person’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt, anyone making a specific factual claim must also provide evidence to support that claim.

According to him, understanding these principles is important in appreciating how the trial court evaluated the evidence and how an appellate court would approach any review of the judgment.