There was a verbal brawl between Justice Ayitey Armah – Tetteh, the trial judge hearing the case of the self-acclaimed Ngleshie Alata Chief Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye and the plaintiff’s Lawyer Commodore Eric Nii Martey.
The case in question is an application for committal for contempt of court in suit number. GJ/0242/2024 titled The Republic vrs Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye and Anor Exparte, Nii Armaah Kwafioo II Anor at an Accra High Court.
The verbal exchange ensued when Lawyer for the applicants Mr. Commodore Eric Nii Martey protested against the judge’s actions, claiming he believed the judge is not been fair.
Lawyer Martey had protested against some of the “processes and procedures” that in his observation the court had glossed over which he has brought to the attention of the Court but the trial Judged ruled against.
He cited instances where counsel of his opponent and the court has failed to ensure that he is served properly as well as the court’s refusal to give him sufficient time as per the rules when a case is postponed sine die.
Lawyer Martey has also prayed the Court to allow the defendants to be cross examined, but this infuriated counsel for the defendant, who objected to this, saying his client should not be asked questions under cross examinations because everything has been captured in his Affidavit.
Justice Ayitey Armah Tetteh who did not take kindly to accusations that he not been fair in the discharge of his duties said he had been very circumspect in the case and has tried to be fair to both sides, stressing that when the Chief Justice was petitioned over his stewardship over the case, the Chief Justice responded and that why he is not handling the case otherwise he could have recused himself. Adding that he has no interest in the ongoing case.
In a related development, court documents intercepted by this portal reveal that Prince Asharku Bruce Quaye’s affidavit in opposition to the application for an order for committal of respondents for contempt of court, he averred that the
“The duty of the registrar to endorse my CD Forms for which the Honourable Court granted an order of mandamus is distinct and different from the duty performed by the 2nd Respondent.”
For the above reasons, I will grant the application and order the Respondent to endorse the CD Forms of the Applicant by the Respondent putting her name, signature, and official stamp and have the same forwarded to the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs (GRAHC) within 14 days for onward transmission. But the above order from the Court has not seen the light of day.
It was based on the above two reasons, the applicants demanded for the respondents to be cross examined but the trial judge ruled against.
The trial Judge adjourned the ruling of the case to July 5, 2025.