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General News of Monday, 2 September 2013

Source: Joy Online

Tsatsu must withdraw offensive attacks – Sam Okudzeto

A former President of the Ghana Bar Association, Sam Okudzeto has described as shocking and disappointing attacks on one of the justices of the Supreme Court by lead counsel for the NDC in the election petition case, Mr Tsatsu Tsikata.

Mr. Tsikata accused Justice Anin Yeboah of political bias, insisting that throughout the hearing of the election petition, the judge let his political affiliation to cloud his judgment.

He said Justice Anin Yeboah consistently took an opposing stance against the NDC’s arguments and position in the course of the hearing, because he was appointed as a judge by President Kufuor.

But speaking Monday on Adom FM’s "Dwaso Nsem" morning show, the former GBA president said the comments were “unfortunate” and could have a negative impact on the integrity of the court.

“Tsatsu is my own cousin. I’m rather shocked for him to do what he has done, I’m very, very shocked,” the renowned lawyer stressed.

Mr. Sam Okudzeto noted that even if Mr. Tsikata had a personal grudge against Justice Anin Yeboah, it was improper to attack him in such a manner especially in the wake of the controversial verdict, which had left a lot of people hurt and disappointed.

“A lot of people who have lost the case will be hurt and those who have won will be rejoicing and this is a time for us to find a way of reconciling the nation.

“I think it is very sad, I think I as a lawyer will never do that. I won’t allow even a lay man to say that how much more a lawyer, because he says he is a law teacher, I’m also a law teacher,” Sam Okudzeto added.

Sam Okudzeto noted that Tsikata must find a way of apologizing to the entire court and not just Justice Anin Yeboah for the offending statement.

“If we all go scandalizing the court because Tsikata has said this, he will be expecting that the other side also comes out making aspersions against others who gave judgment in favour of President John Dramani Mahama, that is why I’m saying it’s not good for our country,” he asserted.

Sam Okudzeto said the judges are human beings and one can agree and disagree with them, but that is not a reason for a lawyer of Mr Tsikata’s standing to single out one judge and malign him so unfairly.