Defence Lawyers Challenge Legal Vacation Hearings in Adu-Boahene, Wahab Criminal Trials

Lawyers for Abdul-Hanan Wahab and former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene have formally protested the decision to hear their clients’ criminal cases during the judicial legal vacation, arguing that the move departs from established court practice.

In separate letters addressed to the Chief Justice and dated August 5, the defence teams said they would not participate in proceedings scheduled during the vacation period.

Former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, representing Abdul-Hanan Wahab, stated that the trial judge informed parties at the previous sitting that approval had been granted for the case to proceed during the legal vacation and advised any objections to be directed to the Chief Justice.

Mr Dame argued that the trial had not commenced before the start of the vacation and, therefore, should not be listed for hearing during the recess.

According to the defence, the decision is inconsistent with long-standing judicial practice, under which High Court proceedings are generally conducted during the regular legal term except under exceptional circumstances.

Former Attorney-General Samuel Atta Akyea, who represents Kwabena Adu-Boahene, also objected to the decision, maintaining that there were no compelling reasons to justify hearing the case during the vacation.

He argued that criminal trials which have not begun should ordinarily wait until the courts resume their normal sittings, adding that the current circumstances do not warrant an exception.

Both legal teams have consequently informed the Chief Justice that they will not attend any proceedings scheduled during the legal vacation.

The objections introduce a new procedural hurdle in the two high-profile criminal cases, with attention now focused on whether the Chief Justice or the respective trial courts will respond to the concerns raised by the defence.

Yaw Opoku Amoako

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