Patrons of the courts have been warned against handing over monies to court officials whiles performing their legitimate functions or roles.

Sir Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei, a Court of Appeal Judge, asked patrons of the court not to pay for transportation of officials attached to the Private Process Service of the courts because that had been catered for.

Sir Justice Adjei gave the warning when he inaugurated a one-storey court building at Weija in the Ga South Municipality. The municipality had two court structures two years ago housed in a classroom and rented premises.

The building, which would house two district courts, a bank, cells and registry, is estimated at GH?916,217.05. The court would serve Gbawe and Oblogo and its environs.

It was funded by the World Bank under its Urban Development Plan.

The building is in fulfilment of the Ga South Municipal Assembly mandate under the Local Government Act.

The Court of Appeal Judge said when patrons had been directed as to what to do in respect of cases, all payments should be channelled through the bank within the court building.

Sir Justice Adjei noted that the importance of the court was to promote rule of law and also prevent people from taking advantage over others.

He, therefore, urged the chiefs and traditional rulers to assist the court in certain matters when they were called on and document all its settlements so the courts could adopt them.

Sir Justice Adjei, however, cautioned them against settlement in matters of rape, defilement and robbery among others at home since those offences were punishable by law.

“If you go and settle such matters and the person is freed, we defeat the purpose of the court,’’ he said.

He said the court had made provision for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which was manned by professional mediators and urged them to patronise that when directed by the courts.

Sir Justice Adjei admonished staff of the Judicial Service to put in excellent performance in offering services to the public.

He commended the Ga South Municipal Assembly and the chiefs for providing land and the World Bank for providing funds for the project.

While Numo Oblogo Wulomo poured libation for the project, Professor Dr. Eric Nana Kwesi Amponsah of Hope Generation Ministries International dedicated the building.