Dumsor forces lawyers ‘to go naked’ before the law

Business at the High Court was somewhat interrupted yesterday, following the power outages experienced at the High Court Complex in Accra.

To make matters worse, the generating plant at the facility could also not power the various elevators, computers and air conditioners.

With temperatures recording as high as 32 Degrees Celsius, the excessive heat was simply unbearable for the users of Criminal Court ‘1’, including lawyers, registrars, clerks, witnesses and visitors.

The development forced lawyers to take off their popular wigs and gowns except the presiding judge.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa was compelled to seek permission from the presiding judge to remove her gown and wig, with other lawyers following suit.

A woman in her mid-50s complained to The Chronicle that because the elevators were not working, she had to ascend and descend the stairs twice to the fifth floor to file her documents.

Meanwhile, the Accra High Court hearing the case involving former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, Agricult Ghana Limited and a businessman, Seidu Agongo has adjourned sitting.

The court, presided over by Justice Clemence Honyenugah adjourned the case to Monday, March 18, 2019, since the DPP, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, had filed an affidavit in opposition for stay of motion.

Despite the counsel for the accused persons claiming not being served, Mrs Obuobisa told the court that she filed the affidavit on March 8.

The affidavit is urging the court to continue hearing the case, whilst the Appeal Court decides on an interlocutory appeal filed by the counsel for Seidu Agongo, Benson Nutsukpui.

Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni’s counsel, Samuel Cudjoe, on the other hand also filed affidavit to support the stay of the motion.

Justice Clemence Honyenugah adjourned the case to Monday, March 18, to determine the applications before the court.

Source: thechronicle.com.gh