‘We’re on legal vacation; it’s intended for rest’ -Atta Akyea on absence from Adu-Boahene trial

Lead counsel Samuel Atta Akyea has defended his decision to stay away from court during Ghana’s ongoing legal vacation, insisting that he would rather “die for democracy” than compromise what he considers established legal traditions. The former Attorney-General said his position is not an attempt to abandon his client but a decision to uphold principles he believes are fundamental to the legal profession and constitutional democracy. Speaking on JoyNews’ Top Story, Mr Atta Akyea rejected suggestions that his absence from court amounted to giving up on his client.

“I’m not giving up on my client, but I’m upholding principle. But if it means that my client doesn’t want me to uphold principle, then it’s up to him. But it’s not because of one brief that I’ll cancel tradition,” he said.

Mr Atta Akyea invoked the memory of J.B. Danquah, a member of Ghana’s Big Six who died in prison during the First Republic, to emphasise the importance he places on democratic principles. Danquah died in the prisons and not because it was his pleasure, but one-man rule was an aberration.

I would prefer to die for democracy than to say that I want my comfort and therefore I’m going to join the CPP,” he said. He rejected the suggestion that his decision was motivated by personal convenience, arguing that lawyers have a responsibility to defend principles that underpin the rule of law. Mr Atta Akyea said lawyers in his firm remained available but maintained that none of them would be used to circumvent what he considers the established practice governing legal vacation.

“All the lawyers in my law firm, they are here. And how can they say that I want to cancel values, principles, traditions, statute for the sake of one brief?” he asked. “I don’t think that’s a very decent and civilised way of engagement.

And I’m not going to lend support to that at all.” When asked why another lawyer from his firm could not hold his brief, Mr Atta Akyea said the issue was not about his personal status as counsel. “I’m not superior to any other lawyer, my dear friend. What is at stake is upholding principles,” he said.