General News of Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Source: starrfmonline.com

Ibrahim Mahama’s sack from court strange – Lawyer

Counsel for Ibrahim Mahama - brother to President John Mahama - in the defamation suit against the Ashanti regional chairman of the NPP Bernard Antwi Bosiako has expressed surprise at the decision of the trial judge to sack their client from the courtroom on Monday.

The judge, Justice Edward K.B Apenkwah, ordered Mr Mahama to leave the court room as his witness mounted the dock to start giving her testimony.

He argued that it was improper for the plaintiff to be around when his witness is giving a testimony, even though he had allowed it in previous hearings.

The Judge also insisted that the Plaintiff will not be permitted to sit in court during the cross examination of the defendant.

However, Mr Charles Zwennes, counsel for Mr Mahama had concerns with the decision arguing that, it was not the first time his client was staying in the courtroom while his witness gave evidence.

A news editor who is the plaintiff’s key witness in the defamation case started giving her testimony on the matter on May 19, 2015, when the plaintiff opened his case.

Zwennes told the media the judge’s decision was strange and unprecedented.

He added that every person is allowed to act as counsel in his or her own case, and could stand in court to lead evidence from his own witnesses.

The judge adjourned the case sine dine.