Ho, Feb. 1, GNA - The 2010/2011 criminal assizes of the Volta Region was on Monday opened with a call on jurors to perform their constitutiona= l duties devoid of favouritism, hatred and prejudices. Mr Justice Kofi Essel Mensah, Presiding Judge for the Criminal Assiz= es, urged them to be "fearless, bold, truthful, fair minded and objective." He reminded them that the work of the juror was not for the faint-hearted and people with weak disposition, neither was it for the wicked, the callous and the undisciplined.

Mr Justice Essel Mensah said "We have listed 32 cases comprising 21 murders, three manslaughter and eight rapes for the year and will need yo= ur cooperation to make the year successful," he said. "We are but humans; we can not do much by ourselves. Let us therefor= e pray to the Almighty God for his good counselling, wisdom, strength and discerning mind so that at the end of the day, we shall bring glory and honour not only to ourselves but to various professions and to the countr= y at large."

Mrs Felicia Otchere-Darko, Chief State Attorney, commended the polic= e for improving on their performance the previous year. She urged all stakeholders to play their respective roles judiciousl= y for a successful year. Mr Ernest Gaewu, who represented the Volta Regional Branch of the Gha= na Bar Association, expressed concern over the low number of lawyers practic= ing in the region and called for the collaboration of all. 01 Feb. 10