Investigative Commissioner to investigate abuse by lawyers - CJ

Accra, Oct. 2, GNA - An Investigative Commissioner who is to investigate and process cases of ethical abuse by lawyers as well as hold them accountable before the General Legal Council (GLC) is being set up, the Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood has said.

The Chief Justice noted that the Judicial and General Legal Councils will not preside over decay.

'We must as individuals commit to do what is right to avoid creating fertile situations for abuse, misconduct and corruption within the chain of administration'.

Mrs. Wood noted that 'evil and wrongdoing can only thrive when there is agreement between two or more persons to make it happen'.

The Chief Justice stated at the 53rd enrollment of 219 newly trained lawyers at the State House in Accra.

Out of the 219 lawyers, 124 were females with Ms. Grace Esi Sackey emerging as the best overall round performance in both parts one and two of the Professional Law Examinations.

Ms Sackey's outstanding performance attracted a standing ovation and applause by Mrs. Marrietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, the Minister Justice and Attorney General, Mrs Wood and other high profile personalities who graced the occasion.

Ten others, who distinguished themselves in various subjects, were awarded by the General Legal Council.

The Chief Justice said the General Legal Council's investigative efforts and motivations were at all-time high and they will not tire in their desire to 'fish out the errant amongst us and deal with them appropriately under the law.

'In all these, internal discipline and expulsion is just one of the means we are determined to apply. The long arm of civil and criminal justice will not be spared.'

According to the Chief Justice, the GLC was committed because law and justice were the foundations of stable, peaceful and prosperous society, and it was important that they work with all and sundry to save the nation from collapse.

Mrs. Wood pointed out to the lawyers that there were pending disciplinary proceeding against lawyers for various offences and complainants, adding that the GLC was determined to ensure that 'No dishonorable member of the profession will enjoy immunity or impunity.'

She said Ghana was going to learn from the Canadian Bar, which has an anti-corruption team made up of experienced lawyers, who would help lawyers appreciate their role in the fight against global corruption.

The Chief Justice noted that as lawyers, they were graduating at a time that perception of the public on the profession was largely negative, and stressed the need for all to up hold virtues.

According to her, the recent judicial scandal which has become the subject of ongoing investigations had brought into sharp focus the need for all to take introspective view of themselves as well as the institution.

'This sober reflection will help us to identify where we have fallen short, stagnated or even regressed and fashion appropriate remedial measures that will diminish, if not totally extinguish, the possibility of a future re-occurrence'.

Mrs. Wood said 'sanitizing the Judiciary cannot be my exclusive responsibility. I need the support from all key stakeholders including the political will for the administration of justice'.

She admonished the lawyers to renew their strength and commitment against the forces standing against their progress as a people and nation.

'You are the newest face of law and justice. You are our opportunity for hope and renewal.

'We look into your faces in search of those group of credible legal professionals committed to building a culture of indignation against corruption,' she stressed. GNA