The General Council of the GBA – made up of all regional presidents and secretaries - at its 268 meeting held on Thursday passed a resolution which gave a strong indication that it will not shield its members accused of wrongdoing.
The five-point resolution reiterates the GBA’s determination to also take on any judge found to have misconducted him or herself, and would also not accept unsubstantiated allegations of corruption leveled against judges either.
The resolution stated that lawyers, Dr. Raymond Atuguba, Abraham Amaliba, Larry Bimi and David Annan must assist the judicial council to name and shame those judges they claimed are engaged in corrupt acts.
The National PRO of GBA Tony Forson explained to Joy News: “We do not intend prosecuting our members, that is not the intendment. However, if there is evidence of corruption, then we are just telling the lawyers involved [if they could assist the GBA] with the evidence they have against these judges, if any there be.”
He said the bar is always ready to protect these lawyers if it turns out that they are right, “but if they do not have that evidence, then you look at resolution point 4, which states that, they should render an unqualified apology. I think it is as clear as daylight.”
In a related development, the GBA also indicated that it intends prosecuting Chris Ackumey, a lawyer, for disclosing that his wife gave money to persons to bribe a judge.
“If you look at the resolution point 5, it states that the Association proposes to take the necessary legal step for the prosecution of Mr [Chris] Ackumey, and institution of disciplinary proceedings against him.”
According to Mr Forson, for Mr Ackumey to have self-confessed of engaging in corrupt practice, then the “consequence must follow”.
However, he could not tell when the action would be taken against the lawyers.
Meanwhile, Mr Chris Ackumey told Joy News he was prepared to face the GBA and dared the Association to go ahead with their legal threat, “I am ready for them”.
“I have denied that I have engaged in the corruption of a judge… what I did was to participate in the gathering of evidence in the corruption of a judge.”
Chris Ackumey accused the late Justice Abanga of taking a bribe of 500 cedis in 2008.
Source: Myjoyonline.com/Joy News/Ghana
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