Two Lawyers Banned

The General Legal Council (GLC) has suspended two lawyers from practicing as lawyers for the next two years.

They are Lawyers Charles Owusu Juanah and Kawme Amoako both lawyers of K-SAN Law Firm in Accra.  

The GLC had restored the licence of Mr Charles Owusu Juanah, the legal practitioner whose practice was frozen in 2011 following accusations of fraud and money laundering in a gold deal involving two foreign businessmen and their Ghanaian counterparts.

Lawyer Juanah, also a businessman, who runs a  law firm, K-San Law Firm, in Accra, was freed after the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO) discontinued their claims into the allegations for lack of evidence and consequently the dismissal of the case by the Accra High Court.

His practice was suspended following accusations that he was practising the legal profession without the requisite legal education and professional qualification.

Per the order, their respective licences to practice for the next two years has been withdrawn forthwith, a letter dated November 24, 2017 signed by Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong Judicial Secretary and Secretary to the General Legal Council has said.

During the period of suspension, the lawyers shall not hold themselves out as  Legal Practitioners or attend Chambers, or render, or purport to render any professional legal services to the public for a fee.

They may also not attend chambers at any time during the period of his suspension.

In the case of Charles, the letter said his suppression from legal practice for a period of two (2) years commences from 24th November, 2017. 

It said he was charged with one count under Rule 9 (4) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613.

It said “That he, as Head of Chambers and Lawyer at K-SAN Law Firm, filed a Notice of Change of Solicitors and issued a writ on behalf of KASAPA Ltd without due consent and instructions from the said KASAPA Ltd.”

According to the GLC, Charles was further charged with a second count under Rule 5 (6) (a) (b) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613:

On count two, the statement said he, as a Lawyer failed to seek the prior consent of the solicitor on record, Messrs Bentsi Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah before appearing on behalf of KASAPA Ltd in a pending case.

Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah was also slapped with a third count under section 19 (3) of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32).

The GLC further noted that he, having been duly notified, failed to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council on 9th June, 2016.

Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah was convicted on all three counts and suspended for a period of two (2) years on Counts 1 and 2 and for a period of one (1) year on Count 3, both sentences are to run concurrently.

For Kwame Amoako, whose suspension also begins on November 24, the GLC argued that he was also charged with one count under Rule 9 (4) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613.

On the first count, the GLC held that he, as a Lawyer at K-SAN Law Firm, filed a Notice of Change of Solicitors and issued a writ on behalf of KASAPA Ltd without due consent and instructions from the said KASAPA Ltd.

He was further charged with a second count under Rule 5 (6) (a) (b) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613:

Touching on the sound charges, the GLC stated he, as a Lawyer failed to seek the prior consent of the solicitor on record, Messrs Bentsi Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah before appearing on behalf of KASAPA Ltd in a pending case.

Lawyer Kwame was also charged with a third count under section 19 (3) of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32).

In the view of the Legal Council, the lawyer having been duly notified, failed to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council on 9th June, 2016.

He was consequently convicted on all three counts and suspended for a period of two years on Counts 1 and 2 and for a period of one (1) year on Count 3, sentences to run concurrently.

In both cases the statement concluded: “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 services to the public for a fee. He may not attend chambers at any time during the period of his suspension”

Source: Jeffery De-Graft/Thepublisher