Sammy Awuku Banned From SC Petition Hearing

I saw it coming long ago. And even wrote an article about his behaviour just barely a month ago. I knew this young man was pushing to become a recipe for disaster. But even though he badly needed help, it seems nobody closer to him was willing to step up to help him.

The result is what we saw in court on Wednesday June 26. I am of course referring to no other person than Sammy Awuku, one of the deputy Communications Directors of the NPP.

Sammy Awuku seems to have been consumed by some unforeseen forces, therefore, when he talks on radio and political platforms, he blurs out anything that comes from his stomach. And most of the things he says are nicely laced with lies. But Sammy Awuku does not care, as he kept soldiering on. And believe you me, the NPP supporters blindly support all the lies and insults that Sammy Awuku spew on his political opponents notably the NDC.

That is why when the Supreme Court issued its final warning on Monday June 24 to wayward journalists and others who have been misreporting the court's proceedings on the petition case brought by the NPP to challenge the results of the 2012 Presidential Election, the warning fell on Awuku's deaf ears.

The court expressed severe concern about the unrestrained power of the media which it claimed is being abused, prompting Justice Atuguba, the Presiding Judge to issue this stern warning, 'any person be it in the media or not who crosses the final touchline of proper coverage reportage will be met with the appropriate response.'

But Sammy Awuku who has adopted an uncontrollable thick skin suddenly jumped on this warning and loaded on the justices claiming they were selective in their warning. He especially criticised the judges for citing the Daily Guide as one of the culprits in improper reportage of the court's proceedings.

When the SC reconvened on Wednesday June 26, the justices did not take kindly to the insulting behaviour of Sammy Awuku as his name popped up. Justice Atuguba demanded to know if Awuku was in court. But when everybody remained silent, Justice Atuguba stated that the appropriate sanctions would be applied before the court went for a lunch break.

When the court returned from the lunch break, Sammy Awuku suddenly popped up in court looking more scared than ever before. Realizing the enormity of the problem he has created for himself, Sammy Awuku, who may have been advised before showing up in court, started begging uncontrollably.

I never thought Sammy Awuku who has adopted 'Superman' behaviour will beg the court. Perhaps when Awuku saw jail time staring him in the face, he may have realized that he was not a Superman after all, that is why he became very subdued. He retracted his outrageous comments and promised not to be of that bad behaviour again against the court.

But in spite of the begging which was joined by the counsels of the petitioners and respondents, the justices took a leave to deliberate on the matter in chambers while leaving Sammy Awuku in the witness box for more than 30 minutes.

Finally when they emerged from the chambers, we saw Justice Atuguba delivering the verdict on Sammy Awuku in strong words. It was the first time many people who have been following the court proceeding saw Justice Atuguba raise his voice.

In spite of the remorse shown by Sammy Awuku and the pleadings by the lawyers, it appeared the justices wanted to set a precedent to stop the reportage and commentary on the case from degenerating into something along lines of what happened in Kenya some few years back.

Sammy Awuku was therefore pronounced guilty but with a lighter sentence. He was told by the court to retract his outrageous comments by 6 pm on that day. He was also given a stern warning that he would not get away easily if he repeats his bad behaviour in future.

Finally, the justices banned Sammy Awuku. Banned from what? From ever appearing in court till the petition case is finally determined by the SC! And I saw Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, the General Secretary of the NPP in a scare mood. And the NPP folks who have been going on air to insult the justices especially Justice Atuguba were put on notice. And the radio stations that have been giving free airtime to the insulting NPP supporters perhaps got the message very loud and clear.

The brakes have finally been put on Sammy Awuku's rolling stone, which has gathered no moss since he was appointed to his current position by the NPP. I am of the view that this young man should disappear for a while and go rehabilitate himself, because his political career has taken a tailspin.

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