Human rights and public interest lawyer, Francix-Xavier Sosu
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Court of Appeal has declined jurisdiction in the case of renowned Human Rights Lawyer, Mr. Francis -Xavier Sosu.
Delivering his ruling in an Application for Stay and/or suspension of the 3 years ban placed on Lawyer Sosu, the Court stated that even though it sympathizes with the Applicant, the Appeal ought to have been filed at [ads1]the Registry of the General Legal Council.
The Court of Appeal presided over by Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie (JA) is of the view that the Legal Professions Act, Act 32, which created the right of appeal did not create a forum where the appeal should have been lodged.
He was, however, of the view that by an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal in the Hans Kodua case, the Notice of Appeal should have been filed at the General Legal Council.
What was not clear was the fact that the judge made no reference to the facts that Lawyer Sosu sworn an affidavit in which he said he went to the offices of the GLC in the company of others to file the appeal and he was told that the General Legal Council did not have a registry that receives those Notices of Appeal.
Some observers at the court who spoke to Awake News after the ruling said, they can see a clear conspiracy to deny Lawyer Sosu an opportunity to be heard on appeal.
Lawyer Sosu has, however, indicated that he had other legal options he will consider after meeting with his Lawyers.
Background:
The celebrated human rights lawyer, Mr. Francis-Xavier Sosu has been banned by the General Legal Council on June 1, 2017 on two counts of overcharging a client, and touting and personal advertising on social media.
Since the news of his ban broke, many groups and influential figures has said the ban is not commensurate with the alleged misconduct with some groups including the United for National Interest calling for the reversal of the ban describing it as discriminatory and affront to natural justice.
Efo Korsi Senyo, AWAKE news.