Lawyer contests General Legal Council over suspension

A private lawyer, James Abiaduka, has appealed against the General Legal Council’s (GLC) two-year suspension placed on him. 

The Council suspended him for allegedly falsely presenting himself to his clients as the Deputy Minister for the Interior, James Agalga. 

The GLC in a statement issued in April this year, formally charged Lawyer James Abiaduka under Rule 9 (7) of the Legal Profession Rules, 1969 L.I. 613 for the act.  

It said during the period of suspension, he shall not hold himself out as a Legal Practitioner or attend Chambers or render or purport to render any professional legal service to any person whatsoever. 

The license of Mr Abiaduka to practice for the legal year was withdrawn. In the statement signed by the Judicial Secretary and Secretary to the GLC, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong said the suspension took effect from April 7, this year. 

However, Mr Abiaduka has filed a Notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, saying the decision of the Council was against the weight of evidence that was adduced at the GLC. He held that the finding of the fact that he, Mr Abiaduka, at all material times represented to his clients that he was James Agalga was not supported by any evidence on record. 

Mr Abiaduka, through his counsel, contended that the GLC acted in breach of the rules of natural justice. 

In a statement from Paintsil and Paintsil and Co Chambers,  it noted that, Mr Abiaduka does not accept the decision of the GLC as a correct statement of what existed on record. 

The statement, signed by Kweku Y. Paintsil, on behalf of Mr Abiaduka, said Mr Abudiaka would, therefore, pursue the appeal in the hope of overturning the decision of the GLC in due course of time.

GNA