Two deputy Ministers, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Dr Omane Boamah have described as premature comments by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in the controversial Jake Obetsebi Lamptey bungalow saga. The GBA said government must be careful in how it handled the bungalow acquisition by the NPP chair in order not to pile another judgement debt for future governments. The Supreme Court ruled Jake Obetsebi Lamptey did not acquire the state bungalow corruptly or abused his office in acquiring it as alleged by the plaintiffs. In a 6-3 ruling the Supreme Court Judges said the plaintiff- Okudzeto Ablakwa and Dr Omane Boamah- failed to substantiate allegations of corruption, conflict of interest and abuse of office they leveled against the NPP chair in his acquisition of the state bungalow. But a day after the ruling was given, Cabinet issued a statement saying government was no longer interested in selling the state bungalow to Jake Lamptey. Cabinet’s position has been applauded and lampooned in equal measure but the GBA in a statement signed by by Frank W. K. Beecham (National President) and Peter R. Zwennes (National Secretary) said government must be cautious, or it will have another judgement debt hanging around its neck. The statement from GBA has been welcomed by the two plaintiffs in the controversial bungalow saga, albeit with some criticisms. “We are happy to learn that our case has made the GBA rescind its earlier decision not to participate in the national political discourse. To us, despite the momentary difficulties we have faced in the courts, this is gratifying, the plaintiffs issued a statement, Sunday. “…There are those who have suggested that the leadership of the GBA might have had a compelling special interest in renouncing their self-imposed exile because the National Secretary and one of the signatories to the statement; Peter R. Zwennes is an in-law of Mr. Jake Obetsebi –Lamptey,” the statement added. It accused the GBA of assuming a “conclusive posture” on a case they have publicly decided to challenge in a review process. Ablakwa and Omane-Boamah said the GBA statement is prejudicial to the review they intend to pursue adding, it will have dire consequences on lawyers they will poach to assist in going through the court process. “As plaintiffs, we are extremely concerned about implications of this intervention. We started this case as ordinary citizens in 2008 and have continued to pursue it as such. If the umbrella body of the overwhelming majority of lawyers in Ghana seems to declare support for the judiciary in an unfinished case, where does this leave us? Would the GBA leadership permit their members who disagree with them and believe in our case to join our legal team? What if this stance by the GBA prevents or demotivates lawyers who otherwise would have taken up this matter? Since this case assumed national prominence, we have been approached by many lawyers including recently the People’s National Convention announcing at a press conference on 6th June, 2012 that they intend to support our application for review with additional lawyers. What are the implications for all these lawyers who belong to the GBA? “the statement said.