Prime News Ghana

The court is not comfortable with the post-trial interviews- Supreme Court to Frank Davies

By Justice Kofi Bimpeh
Frank Davies
Frank Davies
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The Supreme Court has said they are not comfortable with the post-trial interviews by Frank Davies, one of the lawyers representing President Akufo-Addo in the ongoing Election Petition.

According to the judges, granting media interviews as an announced lawyer in the case is against the Legal Professional Conduct and Ethical Rules of 2020.

Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, who raised the matter at the beginning of today’s [February 1, 2021] sitting, said the court was uncomfortable with Mr. Davies granting media interviews after trial.

“Mr. Frank Davies, we respectfully want to draw your attention to the Legal Professional conduct and Ethical Rules of 2020. If you look at rule 38, the court is not comfortable with the post-trial interviews that you grant outside,” he said.

Quoting the rule, Justice Anin-Yeboah said, “A lawyer who is practising or has participated in the investigation or litigation of a matter that is still pending before a court shall not make an out-of-court statement or grant an interview to the media on the matter.”

He said Mr. Davis must be mindful of the ethical infractions and advice himself accordingly.

READ ALSO : Election petition: 4 Paragraphs of Aseidu Nketia's Witness Statement Expunged; Hearing Adjourned to Feb.1

The Chief Justice, however, said anybody else can be appointed to grant interviews on behalf of the second respondent.

“Somebody other than you may do it, that is not our concern, but you are precluded by law because you have been announced in the case on a regular basis.”

Frank Davies accepted the reprimand and assured the court that the advice was “faithfully taken.”

Frank Davies who is the Head of the Legal Directorate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has regularly granted media interviews after each sitting of the Election Petition hearing which started last month.