Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo (right) giving her address . Photo Victor A. Buxton
The Chief Justice (CJ), Mrs Sophia A.B Akuffo has said that the judiciary needs more of the calibre of outgoing Supreme Court Judge, William Anam Atuguba.
She said Justice Atuguba’s impeccable integrity, deep extensive knowledge of the law, procedure and fairness were qualities that made him unique.
Delivering a message of goodwill at a lecture organised in honour of the retired Supreme Court Judge at the Law Court Complex in Accra on Monday, the CJ urged both members of the bench and the bar to emulate the spectacular example of Justice Atuguba.
Justice Akuffo who chaired the event, said the “nation cannot thank him enough” for his enormous contribution to ensuring discipline in the judiciary at all times.
Describing Justice Atuguba as her twin brother, having been appointed together to the Supreme Court in November 1995, Mrs Akuffo eulogised her colleague for discharging his duties with excellence, dexterity and patriotism.
As a chairman of the General Legal Council, the CJ noted that Justice Atuguba ensured that lawyers were held to the highest ethical standards.
Mrs Akuffo asked her brother to make his vast knowledge, intellect and experience available to the judiciary, adding that “there is still a lot we can learn from him.”
For his part, Professor Samuel Date-Bah, a retired Supreme Court Judge said the quality of Justice Atuguba’s judgement would leave a lasting legacy on the bench, noting that, he rendered exemplary service to the people of Ghana by giving meaning to the rule of law and constitutionalism.
He spoke on the topic: “A life on the bench: The contribution of Justice William Atuguba to Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law in Ghana.”
Highlighting some of the numerous contributions of the outgoing Supreme Court Judge, Prof. Date-Bah said Justice Atuguba ensured access to the courts, subjected the state to law and promoted independence of the judiciary.
He praised Justice Atuguba’s profound judgement in the case in which the Ghana Bar Association sought an interpretation on article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which borders on appointment of judges to the Supreme Court.
In his remarks, Justice Joseph Akamba, also a retired Supreme Court Judge and long time friend of Justice Atuguba, described his colleague as an affable and helpful person who exhibited remarkable discipline on the bench.
The lecture, which was organised by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in collaboration with the Fordham University of Law, was attended by members of the bar, the bench, law lecturers, academicians, ministers of state, law students and members of the public.
Justice Atuguba was presented with a citation by GIMPA in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the judiciary.
BY MALIK SULLEMANA
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