‘Case may not continue without counsel’ – Samson Lardy Anyenini on Adu-Boahene trial

Samson Lardy Anyenini, a long-standing private legal practitioner, has raised concerns about the ongoing criminal trial of former National Signals Bureau Director Kwabena Adu-Boahene. During an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, August 11, Mr Anyenini questioned whether the trial can proceed if his client's defense lawyer is unavailable during the legal vacation.

While the Chief Justice supports expediting case determination, Mr Anyenini believes the absence of defense counsel could jeopardize the trial's continuation. "I think that eventually we may find, and the case may not continue without counsel," he stated. Mr Anyenini's comments came after his client's lead counsel, Samuel Atta Akyea, stayed away from court on Tuesday due to the legal vacation.

This period is typically reserved for lawyers to rest after extensive courtroom work. Mr Anyenini, who has been practicing law for 50 years, recalled that lawyers have traditionally been allowed to take breaks during vacations. He has also argued that the directive to compel lawyers to conduct trials during the vacation may be impractical and should be reconsidered.