Judge refuses to sit during rainfall

Agona Swedru, July 24, GNA - Mr Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Swedru High Court Judge, has threatened not sit to hear cases when it is raining because he would not risk his life and that of the staff since the premises built over a 100 years ago could collapse anytime, he told lawyers during a hearing.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Swedru, Justice Dzamefe, said he wanted the counsels to keep that in mind so that they did not grumble if he stopped proceedings.

Mr Justice Dzamefe noted that the asbestos roofing sheet were in a deplorable state while the foundation of the building had been exposed instead of being in the ground.

He said the there were no doors to the courtrooms and had been told by the staff that they sweep away, spent condoms because the walls had developed cracks and posed a danger during sittings. Meanwhile, the Judicial Service has given approval for the construction of a new building for the Swedru High Court next year, Deputy Judicial Secretary, Mr Abdulai Iddrisu has said. He told the GNA at Agona Swedru in an interview that this year's budget had been exhausted and early next year the project would commence.

The Deputy Judicial Secretary stated that the conditions of court at Swedru was bad and needed a new premise.

He said he had consulted the Agona District Assembly to remove a the big tree, which posed as a threat to the building, adding that arrangements had been made with the Department of Parks and Gardens to beautify the compound before the project.