Lawyer Richard Abaaduko Adaazabra, a legal practitioner with the Legal Aid Commission Ghana in the Upper East Region, has stated that the closure of seven courts in the region should have been implemented following the attack on High Court Judge Justice Alexander Graham in March 2023. He emphasized that the lack of action at that time is concerning.
Adaazabra pointed out that the ongoing Bawku conflict does not directly impact the operation of these seven courts. He noted that there have been no attacks against judges or lawyers in the courts, which could have warranted their closure. He believes that Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo should reconsider her decision regarding the courts’ closure.
“There was even a time when a sitting high court judge in the region complained that he was attacked at night, yet nobody felt it necessary to close any court. Nothing has disturbed the operation of these seven courts. The Bawku conflict has never affected their functioning, and we have not heard of any terror attacks against judges or anyone within the court premises,” Adaazabra stated.
On March 10, 2023, two individuals were convicted by the High Court for attempting to influence Justice Graham. The convicted, Chief of Baare Naab Nyakora Mantii and Richard Sunday Yinbil, the regional chairman of the Concern Teachers Association of Ghana, pleaded guilty to contempt. They had invited Justice Graham to discuss mining-related cases, which was deemed contemptuous. Following the ruling, Justice Graham received threats via calls and text messages, leading him to flee the region. Since then, the region has not received a replacement for Justice Graham.
Adaazabra expressed concern about the strain on the judiciary in the Upper East Region, where the Navrongo and Sandema district courts are operated by a single judge. This judge often has to divide their time between the two courts, making it difficult to address serious criminal cases effectively.
He also highlighted significant gaps in the judiciary system, noting that the Upper East Region has only two magistrate courts. One, located in Bawku Municipality, has been shut down for years, leaving the Bolgatanga magistrate court overwhelmed with cases. Additionally, the region faces a shortage of judges, with only one judge available at the High Court since Justice Graham’s departure.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya