Francis Agyare, the man who reported Laywer Sosu to GLC
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] shocking revelation has emerged from the circumstances that led to the three-year ban handed over to renowned Human Right lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu by the General Legal Council (GCL).
The 46-year old Francis Agyare who reported his lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu, to the General Legal Council has confessed that the Council forced him to press charges against the lawyer even though he (Francis Agyare) was willing to withdraw the case.
In an interview with an Accra based Joy fm, Francis Agyare disclosed: [ads1]“when I got my money (200,000 Ghana cedis compensation), I decided to withdraw the case but I was told by the GCL that if I don’t come for the case to be tried, I may be arrested and made to pay everything to him (lawyer Sosu).”
It is unclear what motivated Francis Agyare to kowtow to the supposed threat from the GCL to press charges against a lawyer who successfully won compensation to the tune of 200,000 Ghana cedis for him.
Mr. Agyare was arrested on January 5, 1994 in James Town in a swoop together with some 56 others.
He was unlawfully detained for 14 years without trial but released from prison through the Justices for All programme.
After his release, his lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu filed a case in court to seek compensation for his client who was wrongfully jailed.
It was agreed between the lawyer and his client that Francis Xavier Sosu would be entitled to 25 percent of the total compensation money the state would pay to the client should they win the case.
However, after winning the compensation case, the client reported his lawyer to the General Legal Council over the 25 percent charge by lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu.
In determining the case, the General Legal Council said the GH¢50,000 charged by lawyer Sosu was “excessive” and an “overestimation” for the services rendered.
The Council added that Mr. Sosu failed to appear before its Disciplinary Committee when he was invited to offer an explanation for his action which was deemed misconduct.
The Council added that lawyer Xavier Sosu had flouted its Professional Conduct and Etiquette by advertising his legal firm on a social media platform, Facebook.
It said lawyer Sosu had confessed guilt in both issues hence the 3-year ban.
Lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu, has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Accra to quash the 3-year ban imposed on him by the General Legal Council.
He is among other things seeking a declaration that the General Legal Council erred in imposing the ban on him for overcharging a client and advertising his firm on social media.
Meanwhile, a group calling itself united for national interest is also pushing for the ban to be lifted.
The group maintains the sanction was harsh and could affect other vulnerable people lawyer Sosu is representing in court who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.
By: Coffie Emmanuel/Radiogold905.com
