Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Andreas Kamasah
Published on 2024-02-16 15:05:03
The General Legal Council’s recent disbarment of Samuel Nerquaye Tetteh has sparked controversy and legal action from Alfred Agbesi Woyome, a key figure in the GH¢51 million Waterville judgement debt case. Woyome has accused the Council of contempt of court and has threatened to take legal action against them. This stems from the Council’s decision to strike Nerquaye Tetteh’s name from the Roll of Lawyers in Ghana after it was revealed that he received GH¢400,000.00 from Woyome.
According to Woyome, the Council’s actions against Nerquaye Tetteh are a targeted attack on him. He has also acknowledged transferring the GH¢400,000 to Nerquaye Tetteh’s wife, Mrs. Gifty Nerquaye Tetteh, but claims it was solely for humanitarian reasons. Despite Woyome’s assertion, the General Legal Council has taken disciplinary action, citing the transfer of funds as an ethical breach that tarnished the reputation of the legal profession.
The Council’s notice of disciplinary action outlined charges against Nerquaye Tetteh, specifically related to his involvement in the case of Alfred Agbesi Woyome vs. Attorney General & Anor. The accusation focused on the transfer of GH¢400,000.00 directly from Woyome to Mrs. Gifty Nerquaye Tetteh’s bank account without reasonable explanation. As a result, Nerquaye Tetteh is prohibited from practicing law, holding himself out as a lawyer, or providing legal services to the public. The withdrawal of his license is immediate, as confirmed by a notice signed by Justice Cyra Pamela C.A. Koranteng JA, Judicial Secretary and Secretary to the General Legal Council.
This decision highlights the commitment of legal authorities to uphold the integrity and ethics of the legal profession, ensuring accountability and maintaining public trust in the legal system.
Woyome’s threat to sue the Council adds another layer of complexity to the situation. He contends that the Council’s actions amount to contempt of court and has vehemently defended his transfer of funds to Nerquaye Tetteh’s wife as a humanitarian gesture. Despite Woyome’s stance, the Council remains resolute in its decision to disbar Nerquaye Tetteh and uphold the dignity of the legal profession.
The ongoing dispute between Woyome and the General Legal Council underscores the intricate legal and ethical considerations at play. While Woyome’s humanitarian motives are part of his defense, the Council’s disciplinary action emphasizes the standards and principles that legal professionals are expected to uphold.
As the case continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how Woyome’s threat of legal action against the Council and the Council’s decision to disbar Nerquaye Tetteh will impact the legal landscape in Ghana. The controversy surrounding the GH¢51 million Waterville judgement debt case, coupled with the actions of the General Legal Council, underscores the complex interactions between legal, ethical, and regulatory considerations in the legal profession.
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