State Attorneys' Strike Enters Fifth Day

The withdrawal of services by State Attorneys entered its fifth day on Monday crippling the courts as more criminal cases at the Courts and the Regional Tribunals had to be adjourned indefinitely.

They are on a sit down strike to back the demand for payment their allowances.

All the High Courts and Regional Tribunals were virtually empty on Monday.

The Fast Track High Court trying Victor Selormey, former Deputy Minister for Finance and Daniel Abodakpi, Ex-Minister of Trade and Industry for alleged misappropriation of State funds adjourned the case to June 23.

A case involving Victor Emmanuel Smith, former President's Special Aide was also adjourned to June 19 by a Circuit Court.

State Attorneys on May 28 reaffirmed their resolve to continue to withdraw their services to press demands for the payment of all arrears of allowances due them from January to date.

A statement signed by Mr Augustine Obour, Acting Secretary of the Association of State Attorneys, said the decision was taken at a general meeting held in Accra last Wednesday.

The Attorneys said a statement by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General that all their demands had been met since Friday had created an erroneous impression in the minds of the public.

The statement said as at last Friday, there had not been any break in communication.

"In fact at all material times relevant to this withdrawal of services, the Honourable Attorney-General and Minister of Justice had duly been informed through written and verbal communication.

"It is worthy to note that to date, we have not been paid any moneys as demanded through our letter of May 19, 2003 which forms the basis of the withdrawal of services.