The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Integrity Initiative Vitus Azeem says the nine Supreme Court judges erred when they refused to hear the case brought by Sumaila Bielbiel against the MP for Bawku Central because of Dr Raymond Atuguba’s involvement in the case.<\/p>\n
Following the Judges and Magistrates Association\u2019s referral of four lawyers including counsel for the plaintiff, Dr Raymond Atuguba, to the General Legal Council to substantiate their allegations of corruption against judges, the judges at the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, pending the determination of the investigations into the assertions by the four legal practitioners that judicial corruption in Ghana was no longer a perception but a reality.<\/p>\n
Dr. Raymond Atuguba was appearing in court as the counsel for Sumaila Bielbiel, a Bawku-based cattle dealer who is contesting the citizenship of Bawku Central MP, Adamu Dramani Sekande, at the time he contested the elections, but the judges adjourned the case sine die.<\/p>\n
Mr Azeem, speaking to Bernard Nasara Sayibu on Joy FM\u2019s Super Morning Show Friday, said the conduct of the judges amounted to an abuse of power in a very capricious manner.<\/p>\n
He argued there was no justifiable reason for the plaintiff to be denied justice \u2013 to which he is, as a citizen of the land, entitled \u2013 on the basis of comments made by his lawyer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened yesterday sends shivers down the spines of ordinary Ghanaians,\u201d he said explaining that since the assertions of the four lawyers had been referred to the General Legal Council, \u201cwhy don\u2019t the magistrates and judges wait for the decision of this council before going ahead to be a judge in their own court\u201d?<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are penalising the clients because of what their lawyers have done but the clients have no authority over what their lawyers say in public…so I think what the judge did yesterday was a bit unfortunate…,\u201d Mr Azeem noted.<\/p>\n
But a private legal practitioner, Mr Yonny Kulendi vehemently disagreed.<\/p>\n
Defending the position of the judges in the matter involving Dr Raymond Atuguba, he said the decision not to hear the case was jurisprudentially correct.<\/p>\n
Mr Kulendi said those questioning the propriety of the judges decision must remember that it is a judicial duty that \u201conce a judge finds himself in a position where it may not appear that he can deal with a party or a lawyer fairly, the judge has a duty to recuse himself (from the case).\u201d<\/p>\n
He recounted an incident where he, as counsel, got into a heated argument with a judge and realising the argument had gotten out of hand, \u201cI asked for an adjournment and told the judge I needed that adjournment to advise myself. I then took the adjournment to ask my client, \u2018Charlie the way this temperature is raising, I don\u2019t want to become a burden on your case. Do you want to find another lawyer or you want me to continue\u2019\u201d?<\/p>\n
It is routine for judges to do what happened in the case involving Dr Atuguba, he maintained.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow will the public perceive people whose association has lodged a complaint and demanded an inquiry to be presiding over matters involving the subject matter of their complaint?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
To further drive home his point, Mr Kulendi asked show host, \u201cBernard, if I say that journalists who call me to speak on radio take bribes. Will you call me to speak on Joy FM again?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Kulendi who is counsel for Adamu Dramani, rubbished suggestions that his position on the matter is born of the fact that he benefits from the adjournment of the case sine die.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will be most unfortunate, ridiculous and laughable. What is the benefit I get\u201d? He asked.<\/p>\n
In any case if the plaintiff is intent on moving his case forward, he can engage the services of another lawyer, Mr Kulendi said, emphasising \u201cit doesn\u2019t foreclose his right at all\u201d but if on the other hand, Mr Sumaila Bielbiel chooses to stick with his lawyer, \u201che has to deal with the consequences of Raymond\u2019s conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Story by Malik Abass Daabu\/Myjoyonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The rest is here:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Integrity Initiative Vitus Azeem says the nine Supreme Court judges erred when they refused to hear the case brought by Sumaila Bielbiel against the MP for Bawku Central because of Dr Raymond Atuguba’s involvement in the case. Following the Judges and Magistrates Association\u2019s referral of four lawyers including counsel for the plaintiff, Dr Raymond Atuguba, to the General Legal Council to substantiate their allegations of corruption against judges, the judges at the Supreme Court declined to hear the case, pending the determination of the investigations into the assertions by the four legal practitioners that judicial corruption in Ghana was no longer a perception but a reality. Dr. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-427510","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-entertainment"},"yoast_head":"\n
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