The Accra High Court has rejected a request by lawyers for former Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul Hamid, for a lengthy adjournment in his ongoing case.
The court has directed the parties to return on Wednesday for the continuation of the case management conference.
Speaking to journalists after Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel for Abdul Hamid explained that the defence had sought additional time due to health concerns and exhaustion following the legal year.
He noted that some members of the legal team, including himself, had been unwell.
According to him, the upcoming Ghana Bar Association conference was also one of the reasons the lawyers requested an adjournment.
He explained that the legal team had attended court throughout the judicial vacation after an earlier request to have the holidays waived.
“We have attended court throughout the holidays. There is no adjournment that we have been absent,” he stated.
Counsel said they had hoped the court would grant them a few more days to rest and recover after what he described as a demanding legal year.
“We are exhausted. The legal year took a toll on us,” he said.
He added that the lawyers had requested that the case resume later, possibly in October, to allow them time to recuperate.
However, he noted that the judge declined the request and directed the parties to return to court the following day.
“My Lord said that we should come back tomorrow and that he was not acceding to the prayer,” he stated.
The lawyer maintained that the request for an adjournment was based on genuine concerns and was not made simply to delay proceedings.
He cited ill health among some members of the legal team and the upcoming Bar conference as the main reasons for the request.
Despite the rejection of their plea, counsel said the legal team would comply with the court’s directive and return for the continuation of the case management conference.
By: Jacob Aggrey