Judges and Magistrates must be protected

Mr. Hoenyefia Bodza-Lumor, a Takoradi-based legal practitioner has called for the protection of judges, magistrates and all those engaging in the dispensation of justice from physical harm to enable them uphold the rule of law.

He said this when delivering a lecture organized by the Western Regional branch of the Ghana Bar Association to mark this year's Martyrs Day, a day set aside to commemorate the abduction and murder of three justices of the High Court in 1982.

On that fateful day Justices Mr. Justice Fred Poku Sarkodee, Mrs Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Mr. Justice Kwaswo Agyei Agyepong and Major Sam Acquah (rtd), Director of Personnel, Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC) were abducted and murdered.

Mr. Lumor said, when those tasked with upholding law and order are cowed into becoming timorous souls for fear of their lives, the whole society would suffer the effects of actions not regulated by law.

He said much as it is the duty of government to ensure the protection of those involved in the dispensation of justice, civil society must also insist that this is done for their own protection.

Mr. Lumor said Amartey Kwei, Lance Corporal Senya, Lance Corporal Johnny Dzandu and Tony Tekpor, who were found guilty of the offence were all executed without being given the chance to appeal against the sentence.

He said Lance Corporal Amedeka who was also found guilty for the offence was said to have broken jail, fled the country and was tried in absentia.

Mr. Lumor said provision of the right of parties of appeal all the way to the Supreme Court is part of the country's court system.

He said the Criminal Code gives convicted persons 30 days within which to appeal against conviction and Sentence but Amartey Kwei and his colleagues were quickly executed two days after conviction and sentence.**