THE GHANAIAN CHRONICLE

"Exhausted Obed takes a break", 'I haven't been on leave for sixteen years". is the banner headline story of the Chronicle. The paper says after nearly a month of press hounding and public opprobrium, the beleagued Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Obed Asamoah, has taken a month's leave, the first time in 16 years. The Chronicle says Dr Asamoah has been at the receiving end of criticisms and sometimes, praise, since the paper 'blew the whistle' on the illegal detention of his two bodyguards for 27 days without charge or trial for allegedly stealing 100mC from his residence. The Chronicle says Dr Asamoah who was responding to suggestions that he had crumbled under the heat and deserted his office, explained that he was on one month leave and would return to office on August 25. GRi

Another front page story of the Chroncle reports of a 'naked' lawyer who went berserk in court forcing an unscheduled adjournment of all cases before the court. Under the headline: "Naked lawyer goes berserk", the paper says a lawyer who, by the definition of the court was 'naked' caused a stir at the Koforidua Community Tribunal, leading to an unscheduled adjournment of all its cases, last Monday. According th the Chronicle, the lawyer, Mr Oppong Agyei, who owns 'Kyekyeku Chambers' at Koforidua, shouted in court, calling the tribunal chairman a sychophant who had gained nothing from following President Rawlings for years and insisted on addressing the tribunal in his improper dress. The paper said Oppong Agyei had that morning taken his favourite place on the bar among fellow lawyers, wearing a smock. Soon he was on his feet to speak on one of the two cases he had been leading when the tribunal chairman, Mr P.A. Asare Dua, ordered him to get back to dress up properly. According to a court official, appearing before the court without wearing his suit and the lawyer's regalia, amounted to 'nakedness', in legal parlance. GRi