Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has disclosed that death threats against him, key prosecution witnesses and police investigators have increased following the conviction of Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
According to Dr Srem-Sai, the threats have intensified since the high-profile case was concluded, with the two key prosecution witnesses also becoming targets.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, he confirmed that he had personally received threats to his life.
When asked whether he had been threatened, the Deputy Attorney General responded in the affirmative.
He further disclosed that the threats had increased rather than declined following the Wontumi conviction.
“It’s actually gone up,” he said.
Dr Srem-Sai revealed that the threats extend beyond him, with the two key witnesses in the case and police investigators involved in the prosecution also being targeted.
“Our witnesses are every day threatened with death. The two star witnesses and even the police investigators… they threaten everybody. But I think it comes with the job,” he said.
Threats Taken Seriously
The Deputy Attorney General said he treats every threat against him seriously, including explicit threats to kill him.
“I take each of them very seriously,” he stressed.
Asked whether the threats included death threats, he confirmed that they did.
He explained that the threats take different forms and are not necessarily communicated through a single channel.
“It comes in various forms, various forms,” he said.
However, Dr Srem-Sai said he does not consider it necessary to publicise every threat received, arguing that doing so could create an avenue for individuals to use intimidation as a means of frustrating the enforcement of the law.
He noted that threats against prosecutors and other justice-sector officials are not limited to the Wontumi case.
“My attorneys receive such threats every day, and not only in this case, but also in other cases, murder cases, armed robbery cases. Judges receive their share of the threats. It comes with the territory,” he said.
Witnesses Under Police Protection
Dr Srem-Sai confirmed that the two key prosecution witnesses have been placed under police protection because of the threats against them.
“Yeah, we’ve given them police protection,” he said.
He acknowledged that physical security measures can provide protection but noted that there are practical limits to the level of security that can be provided to any individual.
According to him, the extent of state protection depends partly on the level of threat and the individual’s circumstances.
“The point I’m making is that there is a limit to how much physical protection you can get, and even that is never enough because human beings can do so many things,” he explained.
Srem-Sai Relies on Faith
Beyond physical security, the Deputy Attorney General said his faith provides him with additional reassurance in dealing with threats to his safety.
“God is the protector of man, and I believe God protects me as well,” he said.
He explained that, for his own peace of mind, he chooses to place his safety in God’s hands while appreciating the protection provided by the state.
“So I would, for my own peace of mind and everything, discount the physical one, even though yes, it’s good, and just so I can sleep, I commit myself to the hands of the Lord,” he added.
