Afoko’s case: I'll step aside if you don't behave – Judge tells NPP lawyers

The High Court judge hearing the case between the New Patriotic Party and its suspended National Chairman says he is willing to step down if the party feels uncomfortable with him presiding over the matter.

“I am doing my possible best. If you are not happy with me, petition me and I will be glad to take my hands off this case,” Justice Anthony Yeboah told lawyers for the NPP Wednesday during cross-examination of a witness for Mr Paul Afoko.

Lead counsel for the NPP, Godfred Dame, accused Afoko’s laywer of whispering to Afoko’s witness, Martin Kpebu, while he was under cross-examination in the witness box. That, Mr Dame argued could interfere in the case hence insisted the judge ruled on the lawyer’s action.

The NPP lawyer’s insistence apparently angered the Justice Yeboah who said he never saw Afoko’s lawyer whisper to the witness as claimed by Mr Dame.

“l don’t remember seeing this man [Afoko’s lawyer] whispering to him [ the witness]. If you are not happy with me, l will be absolutely glad to take my hands off this case,” Justice Yeboah told Mr Dame. The case has been adjourned to June 16 for continuation.

Mr Afoko in October 2015 filed a suit at the Human Rights Court challenging his suspension. He is seeking his reinstatement grounding his argument on claims that his suspension was procedurally wrong per the party’s constitution.