Be wary of fake lawyers- law lecturer

Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has cautioned the public to look out for tricksters parading as lawyers in society.

Mr McDave E Kujo’s warning comes on the back of the increasing number of persons arrested for posing as lawyers and duping innocent people.

In October 2017, for instance, the Ashanti Regional Police Command apprehended a self-styled lawyer who had been posing as a lawyer for the past 10 years.

He had been parading himself as a law lecturer at KNUST as well as a law consultant and a senior state attorney at the AG’s office in the regional capital, Kumasi.

Within the space of four months, another man was arrested at the La District Court in Accra when he allegedly posed as a legal practitioner after he went to court to represent a client in a motor accident case.

Speaking during the UCC Law Students’ Union 3rd Anniversary, the senior lecturer and Dean of the Faculty of Law, UCC, Mr McDave E Kujo stated: “In Ghana, we don’t have typical distinction between a solicitor and a barrister. So for us to be able to practice in the court of law and to represent a client, one needs to be licensed, so [career in law] is not complete until you go to the Law School and then you are licensed when you are successful”.

Meanwhile, the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast will for the first time admit SHS leavers to pursue LLB in the next academic year.

“We[the faculty] have been working with the Vice-chancellor and the academic board to ensure that, the [admission] takes off in the coming academic year. The issue of space is something the university has taken on board, some structures are being constructed not just for lecture theatres but even office space for senior members who will be coming on board from next academic year.”