Judges abandon courts over Ya-Na trial brohaha

Court rooms have been left empty as judges refuse to sit for fear of reprisal attacks by persons dissatisfied with the ruling on the Ya-Na murder trial, Joy News has learnt.

The Supreme Court, the Appeals Court, the High Court are all empty.

A legal practitioner, Mr Sampson Lardy Ayenini confirmed the decision of the judges not to sit today to Joy News.

He said he and other lawyers went to the courts with their clients but were welcomed by empty court rooms.

The judges however say any judge who feels secure can continue sitting.

The action of the judges is believed not to be unrelated to an ongoing demonstration by the Northern Youth for Justice which says its members are seeking to pressurise the authorities to give the Ya-Na justice.

The group is accusing the trial judge, Justice E.K. Ayebi of malevolently truncating the trial by upholding a 'no case' submission filed by defence lawyers.

The youth contend that if the judge had allowed the trial to progress and for the prosecution to produce further evidence, the jury might have arrived at a conviction.

Members of the group took to the streets, saying they intend to petition the Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament, and the Attorney General to ensure justice served.

Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana