Accra, July 15, GNA - The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on Thursday deplored and condemned the conduct of Mr Chris Ackumey, a practising lawyer, and proposed to take the necessary legal steps to prosecute and institute disciplinary proceedings against him.
This was contained in a statement issued in Accra and jointly signed by Mr Frank W. K. Beecham, National President and Mr Peter R. Zwennes, National Secretary of the GBA.
It was a resolution by the Association on recent allegations of corruption made by some lawyers against the judiciary, at the 268th meeting of the General Council of the GBA held on Thursday, June 23, that discussed the recent allegations of corruption levelled against judges.
The statement said, "The Association notes with grave concern the open confession by a member of the Bar, Mr Chris Ackumey that he had engaged in the corruption of a Judge.
"Mr Ackumey, a practising lawyer, was in blatant violation of the la= ws of the land and Rules of Conduct and Etiquette of the Bar, not to mention the solemn Oath he took on admission onto the Roll of Lawyers."
"The Bar deplores and condemns the conduct of Mr Chris Ackumey. The Association proposes to take the necessary legal steps for the prosecution of Mr Ackumey and institution of disciplinary proceedings against him." The Association reiterated its stand, maintained at all times, that it would not shield any judge engaged in corruption and would assist the Judiciary in combating corruption on the Bench.
However, it condemned in the strongest terms the unsubstantiated allegations of corruption levelled against ALL judges by a group of lawyers= .. The Association therefore called upon Dr Raymond Atuguba, Mr Abraham Amaliba, Mr Larry Bimi and Mr David Annan to submit to the Judicial Council names of the alleged corrupt judges and the evidence against them.
"The Association assures the lawyers and the general public that it will encourage genuine complaints against corrupt judges and will lend its assistance and support to the prosecution of such complaints," it added. "In the event that the said lawyers are unable to substantiate their allegations, the Association would advise them to render an unqualified apology to the Judiciary," the statement said.
