Greater Accra, Kumasi courts locked down

All cases before courts in the Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi areas are to be adjourned in view of the ongoing restricted movement in the areas, the Chief Justice (CJ), His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah has directed 

Court registrars are therefore to reschedule them to dates in May and June this year, according to a statement signed and issued by the CJ in Accra on Monday.

However, some 28 courts in the affected areas have been designated to deal with critical cases that may arise such as breach of restricted movement orders and other crimes.

According to the statement the 14-day restriction imposed by the President on Friday to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) “affect all lawyer, litigants and other court users [in the designated areas] since this category of persons were not exempted”.

It said the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal would be available to handle urgent cases he, CJ, deemed so while registries of the two apex courts remained opened.

Aside court registrars, court clerks, cashiers, interpreters, recorders and bailiffs, who would support the designated court, the statement directed all other staff to apply for their leave.

Per the statement, administrative offices would be manned by skeletal staff selected by departmental heads whereas earlier directives issued by his office that outline COVID-19 protocol were still in force.

BY TIMES REPORTER