Suspended lawyer to challenge Legal Council

Lawyer James Abiaduka, who was recently suspended by the General Legal Council for false representation, is heading to the Apellate court for redress of what he describes as unfair treatment.

According to the General Legal Council, the embattled lawyer impersonated James Agalga, but he (Abiaduka) has denied the charge and vowed to do everything possible to clear his name and that, he has evidence to show what actually happened.

He contends that from records available, he did not impersonate James Agalga Esq.

According to him, his image has been very much dented and lowered by the said publication and republication by the said suspension and considers it as very regrettable. He said he does not accept the decision by the General Legal Council.

Abiaduka’s contention was contained in a document sighted by The Chronicle, which says: “Being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the said decision of the General Legal Council, our client has exercised his right under the law, and we have, on his instructions, lodged an appeal against the decision of the General Legal Council pursuant to Section 21, of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32).”

The embattled lawyer further contended that per section 22 of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32), the Judicial Secretary shall not strike off the name of a lawyer from the Roll pursuance of a decision of the disciplinary committee until the period of twenty-one days under section 21, has expired, and until the Judicial Secretary has ascertained that an appeal has not been brought under that section or that, the appeal has been disposed off”.

Backgound

The legal body, the General Legal Council recently suspended Lawyer James Abiaduka which took effect from April 7, 2016.

The suspension was in respect of a case involving retired police officers against Margaret Y.N. Acheampong in which James Agalga held brief for James Abiaduka.

According to the letter, which suspended him, said he was formally charged under Rule 9 (7) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I 613 for falsely representing to his clients that, he was James Agalga, who is also a lawyer, when he knew the said statement was false.