Francis-Xavier Sosu
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ome close associates of reputed Human Rights Lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu are accusing the General Legal Council of misleading the Court of Appeal.
These associates are unhappy with the refusal of the Court of Appeal to hear the human rights lawyer’s appeal against the three-year ban [ads1]imposed on him by the General Legal Council.
A single Court of Appeal Judge sitting alone, Justice Henry Anthony Kwoffie, Wednesday ruled that the court cannot hear the appeal because the “notice of appeal” was filed in the wrong forum.
The Court took the decision after lawyer for the General Legal Council, Kizito Beyuo, argued that the Human Rights Lawyer has not properly invoked the jurisdiction of the court by filing his “Notice of Appeal” at the High Court.
Samuel Cudjoe who is lawyer for Francis Xavier Sosu had told the Court that they were forced to file the notice of appeal at the High Court because there was no registry at the General Legal Council.
He further argued that the General Legal Council does not fit the definition of a “court below.”
According to lawyer Samuel Cudjoe, the rules of Court require that the “notice of appeal” is filed at the “court below” and neither General Legal Council nor its Disciplinary Committee is a Court.
But lawyer Kizito Beyuo disagrees. He argues that the role of the disciplinary committee of the GLC makes them a quasi court and therefore should have been the appropriate platform to receive the “notice of appeal.”
The Court of Appeal agreed with the lawyer for the GLC and refused to hear the appeal on jurisdictional grounds.
But some persons close to lawyer Sosu are shocked at the stance of the GLC on the matter.
They revealed that lawyer Sosu had initially attempted to file the notice of appeal at the GLC but was turned down.
The sources who were with the lawyer when he attempted to file the notice say the GLC representative told them the GLC was not a court and were therefore surprised the GLC lawyer capitalized on that to get the entire appeal struck.
They accused the GLC of putting impediments in the way of the lawyer.
Even though lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu has described the decision as a blessing in disguise, his associates believe he has a lot of hurdles to clear.
Whiles arguing for a stay of execution that will allow Mr. Sosu to continue practicing pending the appeal, lawyer Samuel Cudjoe, complained about the difficulties they were facing compiling the record of appeal.
He told the court he was referred to the GLC website when he requested for a copy of the disciplinary committee ruling which banned Francis Sosu from private legal practice and that the Council was feet dragging in responding to their request for records of proceedings.
This did not however deter lawyer of GLC Kizito Beyuo from using the delay in compiling the records as grounds for the dismissal of the application of stay.
Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu however says he will re-file his appeal in line with the decision of the Court of Appeal.
Source: radiogold905.com
