The General Legal Council (GLC) has been petitioned to sanction former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, for alleged professional misconduct.

The petition stems from the criminal trial of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Richard Jakpa and one another.

The complaint, lodged by one Daniel Kwame Ofosu-Appiah, who describes himself as Ghanaian citizen, cites alleged grave ethical breaches and seeks disciplinary action under Ghana’s Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32).

In a detailed petition dated May 22, 2025, addressed to the Disciplinary Committee of the GLC, Mr. Ofosu-Appiah alleges that Mr. Dame attempted to improperly influence a key witness in the case—Mr. Richard Jakpa, the third accused—in a manner that compromises the fairness and integrity of the judicial process.

Audio evidence admitted in court

Central to the complaint is an audio recording, admitted in evidence in the criminal case, which captures a private conversation between Mr. Dame and Mr. Jakpa.

According to the petitioner, the recording demonstrates that Mr. Dame sought to sway Mr. Jakpa’s testimony, thereby breaching prosecutorial impartiality and the constitutional right to a fair trial under Article 19(2) of the 1992 Constitution.

The complaint notes that the audio evidence was ruled admissible by Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe on June 13, 2024, and that WhatsApp communications between the former Attorney-General and Mr. Jakpa—allegedly including requests for documents—were also admitted as exhibits.

These interactions, Mr. Jakpa testified under oath, occurred without the knowledge or consent of his legal counsel.

 

Alleged violations of professional conduct rules

Mr. Ofosu-Appiah argues that Mr. Dame’s actions amount to professional misconduct under multiple provisions of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423), including:

• Rule 1(c): Failure to act with honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
• Rule 8(1): Engaging in conduct involving deceit or misrepresentation.
• Rule 13(1)(a) & (b): Direct communication with a represented party.
• Rule 54: Attempt to improperly influence a witness.
• Rule 61: Conduct likely to discredit the legal profession.
• Rule 76(2)(a): Compromise of the administration of justice.
• Rule 89(a): Broad provision covering general professional misconduct.

The complaint also references Rule 9(4) of the earlier 1969 Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules (L.I. 613), highlighting the longstanding expectation of fairness in prosecutorial conduct.

 

Public interest and call for disciplinary action

Submitting the petition in what he describes as the public interest, Mr. Ofosu-Appiah invokes Article 41(b) of the Constitution, which enjoins every citizen to uphold and defend the Constitution and the law. “This responsibility includes taking steps to ensure accountability in public office,” he stated.

The petition further urges the GLC to consider imposing appropriate sanctions, as provided under Section 16 of the Legal Profession Act. These include reprimand, suspension, or even striking off the roll of lawyers.

“The actions of Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, as confirmed by judicial admission of evidence, have undermined public confidence in the legal profession and in our system of justice,” Mr. Ofosu-Appiah said.

“This matter deserves urgent and thorough investigation.”