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July 21, 2026
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I didn’t abandon my client; I travelled for my daughter’s graduation – Atta Akyea
Policy
Key Points
- Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Chairman Wontumi, explained his absence during his client's jailing.
- His absence was primarily due to attending his daughter's graduation in the United Kingdom.
- He also cited legal considerations, expecting the High Court to refer constitutional issues raised by the defence to the Supreme Court.
- Atta Akyea believed that such a referral would have made his presence unnecessary at the time of judgment.
- He denied abandoning his client and confirmed plans to appeal the High Court's decision, citing constitutional and procedural errors.
Why This Matters
This incident highlights ongoing legal and procedural debates within Ghana's judiciary, particularly concerning the hierarchy of courts and the referral of constitutional matters. The involvement of a prominent political figure and the subsequent appeal will test the robustness and fairness of the Ghanaian legal system, potentially influencing public perception of justice and judicial independence in high-profile cases.
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