The Ghana Bar Association has criticised Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over comments he made about a Circuit Court judge handling the case involving Bono Regional NPP Chairman Kwame Baffoe, describing his remarks as unprofessional and unethical.
Speaking on the matter, GBA spokesperson Saviour Kudze said the Minority Leader’s public attack on the judge was inappropriate, especially coming from a senior lawyer and a leading member of Parliament.
“It is very unpalatable and unbecoming of a senior lawyer of his standing at the Bar, particularly so a senior lawyer who is privileged enough to be the Minority Leader of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana,” Mr Kudze said.
He added that Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also a chief, should consider the example he is setting for the public and his constituents.
The criticism follows a press conference held by Mr Afenyo-Markin on Sunday, 17 May, where he openly questioned the conduct and competence of the judge who has repeatedly remanded Abronye DC.
The Minority Leader said he would continue to “disrespect” the judge until he “upholds the law” and challenged the court to cite him for contempt if necessary.
Responding to the remarks, Mr Kudze said lawyers who disagree with judicial decisions should use the proper legal processes rather than publicly attacking judges.
“As a lawyer, if his complaint is that a judge has acted in a way not within the ambit of the law, this is not the way he should go, especially somebody like him,” he said.
“The appellate system is not there for fun. If the judge did not act within his jurisdiction, he knew what to do. He should not go to the press.”
Mr Kudze also accused the Minority Leader of breaching professional etiquette by publicly questioning the qualifications and competence of a sitting judge.
“We are disappointed, and he has acted very unprofessionally and unethically because, per our etiquette rules, we do not do things like this by attacking the qualifications or competence of a judge,” he added.
