Regional News of Friday, 27 March 2015

Source: Today Newspaper

Ayikoi Otoo angry over missing docket

An argument ensued between lawyer Ayikoi Otoo and a court clerk at the High Court at the Cocoa Affairs Court Room 20 on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 over a missing docket sent to the Registrar Department, (filling section) of the High Court in Accra for notice of motion for an order for Judicial Review by way of certiorari, Today can report.

The former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General who represented Nii Okaidja III in a case involving his client and Nii Ayi Bonte II over who was the rightful person to ascend the throne of Gbese Mantse Royal Stool of Ga Mashie in the Ga State could not understand the intricacies of the whole issue.

His anger however, Today learnt, was as a result of the “mysterious” disappearance of the docket filed by himself on Tuesday, March 10, 2015.

The obviously peeved Ayokoi Otoo, our sources said, was surprised to hear from the court clerk, (name withheld for security reason) that the docket was missing because his investigations revealed that the docket was at the registrar’s department at the High Court.

This notwithstanding, the astute lawyer called the registrar via telephone at the Filling Section of an Accra High Court to verify why the docket was not brought to court at the appointed date.

Interestingly, the registrar in response to his call said the docket had been sent to High Court 20 for the commencement of the trial.

The Presiding Judge, His Lordship Asumani-Adu, the sources noted, was also taken aback, after the court clerk hinted that the docket was missing.

The judge who could not help himself at this time, according to Today’s investigation, had no option than to adjourn the case for one week.

And by that development the process has to start afresh.

Though sad, Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo and his client were happy with the short adjournment date, the sources told Today.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Nii Ayi Bonte were not in court and neither did Nii Ayi Bonte himself.