According to a report filed by thelawplatformonline.com, Kwame Boafo Akuffo Esq., the lead counsel for Nana Appiah Mensah, also known as NAM1, engaged in an exchange with Justice Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, who presided as an additional High Court Judge in the trial of NAM1.
The report explained that the dispute arose when lawyer Akuffo sought to establish a safe distance between his client, NAM1 and the first witness presented by the State. Citing emotions involved in the case.
Akuffo is said to have argued for physical separation, a request rejected by Justice Owusu-Dapaa, who pointed to the standard procedures followed in the court.
As the witness, a Civil Engineer named Stephen Attipoe began his Evidence-in-Chief, Akuffo is reported to have objected to specific paragraphs in the witness statement, claiming they referenced events in 2019, outside the period covered by the charges.
This objection led to a legal sparring match between him and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa.
The tension is said to have escalated during the cross-examination when Akuffo instructed the witness to respond with 'yes' or 'no' before providing any further explanation, a directive Obuobisa disagreed with.
This prompted Justice Owusu-Dapaa to assert his authority, declaring that he would not allow the lawyer to control the courtroom and the witness.
The back-and-forth between the lawyers and the bench reached a boiling point when Akuffo is said to have resisted the court's instructions.
Justice Owusu-Dapaa warned him and hinted at reporting his conduct to the General Legal Council.
He even mentioned the possibility of recommending that NAM1 reconsider his legal representation.
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