Lawyer suspended for extorting GHC50k from client

A Kumasi-based lawyer, Hansen Kwodwo Kodua, has lost his license for extorting GHC50,000 from his client.

The Ghana Legal Council (GLC) has announced revoking License number ‘AR 10274/15’ issued to the embattled Koduah on 14th January, 2015 for the next three years. This means during the period, he cannot hold himself out as a legal practitioner or render any professional legal service.

Mr. Koduah has been found guilty in an extortion case in which he is seen to have taken GH?50,000 from one Mrs. Grace Nana Ama Oparah as filing fee for a legal service that would have cost her GHC748.

According to the GLC, his conduct is in breach of Rule 9(8) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613.

He was acting as counsel for the woman in the case in titled as Mrs. Grace Nana Ama Oparah v National Investment Bank & 2ORS (SUIT No. LMISC 1 /2014) at the High Court in Kumasi.

A notice issued on June 9, 2016 by the Ghana Legal Council stated: “Notice is hereby given that Lawyer Hanson Kodwo Koduah is hereby suspended from legal practice for a period of three (3) years with effect from June, 2016.

“The above –named person was formally charged under Rule 9(8) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613 that he, while acting as counsel for Mrs. Grace Nana Ama Oparah represented to her that she was required to pay a filing fee in the sum of GHC50,000.00 in the case in titled as Mrs. Grace Nana Ama Oparah v National Investment Bank & 2ORS (SUIT No. LMISC 1 /2014) at the High Court , Kumasi and succeeded in collecting from her the said amount when he knew or ought to have known that the statutory fee was GH?748.00 to be paid to HFC Bank Ltd at the High Court Registry at Kumasi, but nevertheless failed to pay same to the said bank as practice requires.”

“During the period of suspension, he shall not hold himself out as a Legal Practitioner or attend Chambers, or render, or purport to render any professional legal service to any person whomsoever, wheresoever.”

The GLC therefore says “the licence of Mr. Hansen Kodwo Koduah to practice for the legal year is hereby withdrawn forthwith.”