A group calling itself United for National Interest has criticised Chief Justice nominee Sophia Akuffo over what it says are prejudicial comments made by her during her vetting.
Justice Akuffo told parliament on Friday, June 16 that it was “distasteful” for lawyers to advertise their services on social media.
According to her, touting is frowned upon in the practice and considered an unethical conduct.
Her comments come on the back of the three-year ban slapped on human rights lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu by the General Legal Council (GLC) for what it described as violation of advertisement rules and for charging excessive legal fees.
Mr Sosu was accused of advertising on Facebook.
Sharing her opinion on the matter when she appeared before the vetting committee on Friday, 16 June, 2017, Justice Akuffo said: “If you want my view on advertising on social media, personally, I’m a 67-year-old woman, I’ve been at the bar since 1973/74 and I believe that dignity of the bar is important as dignity of the judiciary. And the idea of lawyers touting themselves on social media is personally distasteful to me, but that aside, the law is clearly against touting because it is considered an improper conduct on the part of the lawyer. Every profession has its rules.”
Instead of advertising on social media, Justice Akuffo suggested “you can have a website and put yourself on your website”.
Meanwhile, Mr Sosu has appealed his ban. He is also seeking a declaration that the charge of touting and personal advertisement levelled against him by the General Legal Council is discriminatory and contrary to Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution and praying the court to quash his three-year ban.
However the group has condemned Justice Akuffo over her comments.
Source: classfmonline.com
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I also find her comment very distasteful. In fact i find her answers to questions and her stands very worrying. It appears she will set the legal profession back to the nineteenth century. She is also showing signs of selective justice practices. It is very worrying indeed.
What is the difference between having a website and merely touting on social media. These 19 century judges are quite dumb. Is building a website not more serious than advertising on social media? In any case, the case of Xavier sosu is still pending so the appointee who is supposed to be a CJ should have said the case is not done with so she would not make a comment. By her comment she has preempted the appeal being sought by the lawyer.
Most professional bodies in Ghana don't allow advertising and it's not only lawyer's that it affects. But what baffles me is those lawyer's saying the law has outlived it's purpose,you use old laws to win cases and raise your shoulders high .
THE CJ IS RIGHT. YOU YOUNG LAWYERS SHOULD LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR NAME HARD WORK NOT THROUGH TOUTING YOUR CREDENTIALS AND ENDING UP DUPING PEOPLE. IF THE CHAMBERS YOU RECEIVED PUPILAGE DID NOT HAVE "NAME" would you have qualified to practice individually. Go through the mill through hard work, honesty and professionalism. I do understand why young people are in a hurry to surpass their masters only to end up in disgrace.