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🇬🇭 Ghana /Crime & Justice

Lawyer asks Chief Justice to halt trial during legal vacation

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Ghanaian lawyer has asked the Chief Justice to withdraw a directive allowing a criminal trial to proceed during the legal vacation.
  • The lawyer argues that forcing his team to work during the vacation is unfair and could create an impression of selective justice.
  • He requests the case be adjourned until regular court sittings resume in October or November.

Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea has formally requested the Chief Justice to retract a directive that would compel the continuation of a criminal trial during the ongoing legal vacation. The trial involves Kwabena Adu-Boahene, former Director-General of the National Signals Bureau.

In a letter dated August 5, 2026, Atta Akyea, leading his legal team, stated that his lawyers are unavailable for the scheduled hearings on August 11, 12, and 13. These dates were set by an additional High Court judge, Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, under the Chief Justice's authority.

The legal vacation has traditionally been a period for lawyers and judges to rest after a demanding year.

— Samuel Atta AkyeaLawyer Samuel Atta Akyea explaining why his team cannot attend the scheduled hearings during the legal vacation.

Atta Akyea contends that proceeding with the trial during vacation unfairly burdens his legal team, who have worked throughout the legal year and planned personal engagements. He emphasized that the legal vacation is traditionally a period for rest for legal professionals. The lawyer warned that continuing the case could foster a perception of unequal justice, as many other cases have been adjourned until after the vacation.

allowing the case to continue during the vacation could create the impression of selective justice.

— Samuel Atta AkyeaLawyer Samuel Atta Akyea warning about the potential perception of unfairness if the trial proceeds during the legal vacation.

He cited Article 125(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which underscores the independence of the Judiciary. Atta Akyea also noted public sentiment that suggests a disparity in criminal justice delivery between "special criminal cases" and ordinary ones. He urged the Chief Justice to reconsider the directive, withdraw the warrant, and postpone the Adu-Boahene case until regular court sessions resume.

The case also involves Angela Adjei Boateng and Advantage Solutions Limited. Copies of the lawyer's letter were sent to the Judicial Secretary, the President of the Ghana Bar Association, and the Registrar of High Court Specialised Court 1 in Accra.

justice is administered in the name of the Republic by an independent Judiciary.

— Samuel Atta AkyeaLawyer Samuel Atta Akyea referencing Article 125(1) of the 1992 Constitution in his letter to the Chief Justice.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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