Mr. Vincent Kizito Beyuo
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] private citizen of Ghana and civil rights activist, Emmanuel Korsi Senyo has dragged Mr. Vincent Kizito Beyuo, the lawyer for the General Legal Council before the council’s Disciplinary Committee over alleged touting and personal advertisement.
Mr. Korsi Senyo stated in his petition filed at the General Legal Council in the late hours of Friday that Mr. Vincent Kizito Beyuo, “high standing [ads1]member of the bar and a lawyer for the General Legal Council takes to the social media and other liked internet facilities to flout the rules of professional conduct as prescribed in the legal profession (professional conduct and etiquette) rules, 1969 (LI613) specifically Rule 2 (1), (2), (3), (4).”
According to the petition, Mr. Kizito Beyuo, “having published or caused to be published on his behalf his contact information, client base, his experience and other related information on the official website (www.beyuoandco.com) of his firm (Beyuo & Co) seeks to directly or indirectly use the content of the firm’s website to seek for professional business and attract business unfairly and same content is calculated to suggest that it is done for that purpose.”
Korsi Senyo also listed some number of social media sites on which he claims the over 24-year practicing lawyer has put his personal contact and areas of expertise seeking to allegedly attract business.
He is therefore praying General Legal Council as a matter of urgency cause an investigation and the necessary sanctions applied to their lawyer to serve as a deterrent to others.
Mr. Korsi Senyo, since the 3-year ban of famous human right lawyer, Mr. Francis-Xavia Sosu on June 1, 2017 has been at the forefront advocating for ban to be lifted on Mr. Sosu, describing the ban as discriminatory and affront to natural justice.
He also dragged the General Legal Council to the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of some operations of the council.
About 4 days ago, Mr. Senyo has filled another writ at the apex court of the land alleging the General Legal Council has amended its law that barred lawyers from advertising without recourse to parliament.
Read the petition he filed against Mr. Kizito Beyuo
July 7, 2017
The Chairman,
General Legal Council
Ghana School of Law
Accra-Ghana
Dear Sir,
COMPLAINT OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT
RE: VINCENT KIZITO BEYUO
I write as a private citizen of Ghana to draw your attention to the unprofessional manner the a high standing member of the bar, and a lawyer for the General Legal Council takes to the social media and other liked internet facilities to flout the rules of professional conduct as prescribed in the legal profession (professional conduct and etiquette) rules, 1969 (LI613) specifically Rule 2 (1), (2), (3), (4).
Having carefully read through the legal profession (professional conduct and etiquette) rules, 1969, and having followed activities of Mr. Kizito Beyuo on social media and other internet outlets, we are convinced and strongly believe that;
- Mr. Kizito Beyuo, having published or caused to be published on his behalf his contact information, client base, his experience and other related information on the official website (www.beyuoandco.com) of his firm (Beyuo & Co) seeks to directly or indirectly use the content of the firm’s website to seek for professional business and attract business unfairly and same content is calculated to suggest that it is done for that purpose.
- Mr. Kizito Beyuo, having published or caused to be published on his behalf his contact information, his experience and on the following websites and social media: whoislegal.com, businessghana.com, martindale.com, neolawyers.com is guilty of touting and personal advertisement and same is against the nobility of the profession he practices.
- Mr. Kizito Beyuo having published or caused to be published on his behalf information that relates his firm (Beyuo & Co), his membership of professional bodies, his experience and other related information on LinkedIn.com is guilty of touting and personal advertisement and same is against the nobility of the profession he practices.
- Mr. Kizito Beyuo having published or caused to be published on his behalf information with regards his firm and himself on Lawyers.com is guilty of touting and personal advertisement as such information ordinarily is calculated to suggest that it is done for that purpose and to attract business unfairly and same is against the nobility of his profession as a lawyer.
I am therefore praying your high office as a matter of urgency cause an investigation to be instigated in the matter complained about and the necessary sanctions applied to serve as a deterrent to others.
We have attached copies of proof of touting and personal advertisement as leveled against Mr. Vincent Kizito Beyuo for your perusal.
I look forward to hearing from you in this regard.