Accra, June 28, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said the abduction and murder of the three High Court Judges and the retired Army Officer on June 30, 1982 was an issue that traumatised the entire Ghanaian society. "We pray the nation will not be subjected to such a trauma again," he said.

President Kufuor said this when Mr William Blair, a Distinguished Lawyer of international repute and a visiting Professor of Law at the London School of Economics, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu. Mr Blair was invited by the Judicial Service as a Special Guest of Honour to deliver this year's Martyrs' Day Memorial Lectures to commemorate the 23rd anniversary celebration of the abductions and murders.

President Kufuor expressed optimism that the lectures instituted by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) would reflect the aspirations of Ghanaians, who were committed to good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights.

Mr Blair paid glowing tribute to the work of the Judiciary in Ghana to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights. The abducted and murdered High Court Judges were Mr Justice Frederick Poku Sarkodie, Mr Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong and Mrs Justice Cecilia Korantang-Addow. The retired Army Officer was Major Sam Acquah.