General Legal Council Petitioned Over Alleged Misconduct By Godfred Dame
A Ghanaian citizen identified as Daniel Kwame Ofosu-Appiah has lodged a formal complaint with the General Legal Council (GLC) against former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
He is accusing the former official of professional misconduct in the ambulance trial case against MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam Constituency and businessman Richard Jakpa.
Ofosu-Appiah posits that his actions constituted a clear breach of the rules governing lawyers in Ghana and have undermined public confidence in the legal profession and the justice system.
“Given the nature of the conduct and the seniority of the lawyer involved, I respectfully urge the Committee to consider this matter with the utmost seriousness and in accordance with the law and ethical standards.”
He pinpointed to an audio that surfaced during the trial which allegedly implicated the A-G for an attempt to influence one of the accused persons in exchange for his acquittal.
“In that matter, a private audio recording capturing a conversation between Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame and the third accused, Mr. Richard Jakpa, was admitted by the court as Exhibit 9 for A1.
“The contents of this recording reveal Mr. Dame attempting to influence the testimony of Mr. Jakpa in a manner that interferes with the judicial process, compromises prosecutorial impartiality, and undermines the constitutional right to a fair trial under Article 19(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
“The fact that this recording has been admitted into evidence by the trial court and court of appeal moves the matter from the realm of mere allegation into that of judicially recognized conduct, requiring urgent professional and ethical scrutiny.”
According to him, Dame violated the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423) including
1. Rule 1(c): Failure to act with honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
2. Rule 8(1): Engaging in conduct involving deceit or misrepresentation.
3. Rule 13(1)(a) & (b): Direct communication with a represented party on matters of representation.
4. Rule 54: Attempt to improperly influence a witness or the outcome of proceedings.
5. Rule 61: Conduct likely to discredit the legal profession.
6. Rule 76(2)(a): Compromise of the administration of justice.
7. Rule 89(a): Any breach of the above constitutes professional misconduct.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
