The Eastern Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mr Kwasi Amoako Adjei, has urged judges and magistrates to be bold and discharge their duties without fear or favour.
That, he said, would allow them to contribute to justice delivery in the country and boost public trust in the Judicial Service.
Speaking at the 37th Martyrs Day celebration at Koforidua last Friday, Mr Adjei said: “As judges and magistrates, we must be bold and brave as well as show honesty and candour in the delivery of justice, irrespective of political intimidation.”
The event, which commemorated the gruesome murder of three high court judges together with a retired military officer, was held on the premises of the High Court in Koforidua.
Led by the Parish Priest of the St George Cathedral in Koforidua, Very Rev. Father Felix Davordzi, it attracted judges, magistrates, lawyers, staff of the Judicial Service and the clergy in the Eastern Region.
Recounting the events that led to the murder of the three high court judges, Mr Adjei said the three high court judges were murdered based on suspicion of doing something that angered some people in political power.
He stated that instead of being honoured for their bravery and honesty, the judges suffered brutal death for what they stood for.
“We condemn outright the murder of the three judges since no one has a lineage right to take the life of another person irrespective of what you perceive to have been done.”
“If you feel somebody has done you something for which you have been aggrieved, you have to go to the law court and if the person is found liable or guilty, then the law will take its course,” he stated.
Expressing worry over the high numbers of cases that had inundated courts in the region, Mr Adjei admonished members of the society to equally strive to be honest and candid in their life, adding, “We are having cases in courts because we have bullies and cheats in society, leading to needless litigation of cases that are choking our courts today.”
Mr Adjei also expressed worry over how courts were being overwhelmed by cases of robberies and kidnappings, noting that such crimes undermined the country’s security and tourism potential.
“While these are security concerns that happen in most countries, the expectation is that the government and the citizenry will help in combating these crimes,” he stated.
For his part, Very Rev. Davordzi in his sermon, called on the judiciary to emulate the bravery exhibited by the three judges, to uphold truth and work hard to enhance justice delivery in the country.
Wreaths were laid in memory of the murdered judges.
BY AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA
