Legal vacation: Samson Anyenini sends important message to lawyers (Audio)

Samson Lardy Anyenini, a legal practitioner, has advised lawyers to treat judges respectfully when they are unable to attend court due to the legal vacation. He believes such discussions can often resolve scheduling issues without causing unnecessary conflict. This advice comes after concerns were raised by Samuel Atta Akyea, lawyer for former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahen, about the decision to proceed with a case during the legal vacation.

During an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Anyenini explained that even when a judge agrees to hear a case during the vacation, lawyers can politely explain their situation and request an alternative arrangement. He noted that judges are usually willing to listen to such requests. According to Anyenini, it would be uncommon for a judge to insist on proceeding to a point where an accused person without legal representation has to cross-examine a prosecution witness themselves.

He stated, "Hardly will you hear a judge resist, and an accused person asked to cross-examine a witness him or herself."

However, Anyenini acknowledged that judges, like everyone else, are human and may occasionally make mistakes or act in ways that require criticism. He emphasized that while the judiciary should strive to be free of wrongdoing, it is a human institution and therefore not without flaws. He urged lawyers and other stakeholders not to shy away from speaking up when a judge is found to have acted improperly. "And when they are doing something wrong, we need to say it," he added.