Martyrs Day: Legal practitioners urged to uphold justice without fear or favor

Legal practitioners across the country have been advised to remain committed to the rule of law and defend justice without fear or favor.

The Supervising High Court Judge of the Volta and Oti Regions, His Lordship John Ekow Mensah, explained that a judgment grounded on law would prevent public backlash and antagonizing.

He was speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 43rd Martyrs Day Thanksgiving Service, in Ho, to commemorate the abduction and killing of three Justices of the High Court and a retired Army officer. 

“We have sworn and continue to swear that in our line of duty, we will defend justice without fear or favor. So be it”, he said.

The Volta and Oti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Bar Association, Lawyer Moses Asampowa, condemned the 1982 killing of the two judges and a retired army officer in cold blood, describing it as a dark day in the country’s history.

He acknowledged the contributions of the victims to the development of the country’s legal space, adding that legal practitioners continue to take inspiration from their commitment to administering justice.

“Your monuments stand in the forecourt of the Supreme Court building in a constant reminder of the good qualities required of a judge. Judges, Magistrates, and Lawyers will continue to draw inspiration from the bold and courageous manner in which you administered justice in those challenging times. We will continue to celebrate you, lest we forget what you lived and died for”, he said.

He entreated his fellow practitioners to remain committed to adjudicating cases grounded on law to protect the rule of law.

“My fellow lawyers and judges should also take a cue from the sacrifice made by these judges and make sure that they are committed to the rule of law, and give their decisions according to law, no matter what happens, they should stand firm in the law”, he concluded.

Lawyer Asampowa entreated the public to appeal judgments they feel are unjustified and desist from targeting or attempting to harm judges who adjudicate their cases.

“Do not insult a judge, see a judge as your enemy, see a judge as somebody who is working against you. He is applying the law, and if you are dissatisfied, do not harm that judge because they are there for all of us. They are protecting everybody”, he stressed.

The legal fraternity and security services in the Volta and Oti Regions gathered to honour the memories of two judges and a retired army officers at the solemn church service at the Elorm Parish of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Ho Bankoe.

Justices Frederick Opoku Sarkodie, Cecelia Koranteng-Addo, Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong, and Major Sam Acquah (retd) were abducted on June 30, 1982, from their home in Accra, and murdered at the Bundase Military Range in the Accra Plains.

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