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Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu appeals 3-year ban

In a suit filed at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday June 7, Mr Sosu expressed his displeasure with accusations by the council that he overcharged legal fees

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He believes the ban is unfair, and thus has appealed to the Court of Appeals to challenge the reasons given by the GLC that led to his ban.

According to the notice of appeal, he is dissatisfied with the decision of the GLC in respect of a charge over estimation of legal fees and believes the GLC erred in their decision.

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In a suit filed at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday June 7, he expressed his displeasure with accusations by the council that he overcharged legal fees.

Lawyer Sosu is also dissatisfied with the decision by the GLC in respect of touting and personal advertisement and thus see it as a miscarriage of Justice.

The decision to suspend Mr. Sosu was reached last Thursday, June 1, after the Council found him guilty of professional misconduct contrary to the code regulating legal practice in the country.

He was accused of personal advertisement while acting as Council for Torgbui Afede XIV, in a matter between Torgbui Afede and the Chief of Defense Staff, minister of interior, Attorney General.

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According to the disciplinary briefing sighted by Pulse.com.gh, he took to Facebook with pictures of the parties and comments on the case to the public with his firm’s name, address and telephone numbers attached, with the primary motive of personal advertisement and touting.

However, a statement announcing his suspension from the General Legal Council said the lawyer was investigated and found guilty of professional misconduct under Rule 2(4) of the legal profession (professional conduct and etiquette).

"The disciplinary committee of the General Legal Council formally charged Lawyer Sosu under Rule 2(4) of the legal profession (professional conduct and etiquette) Rules, 1969 L.I. 613 and that he; while acting as Council for Torgbui Afede XIV, in a matter between Torgbui Afede and the Chief of Defense Staff, minister of interior, Attorney General and another took to Facebook with pictures of the parties and comments on the case to the public with his firm’s name, address and telephone numbers attached, with the primary motive of personal advertisement and touting."

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But Francis Sosu in his suit said the GLC was "discriminatory contrary to Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution".

He added that "that in inquiring into and convicting the Appellant of touting and personal advertisement, the General Legal Council erred in law by constituting itself into complainant, prosecutor and judge in the matter before it, thereby violating the rules of natural justice and the Right to Fair Trial of the Appellant as guaranteed by Article 19 of the 1992 Constitution".

The suit further stated that the sentence of three imposed on the Appellant "is harsh and excessive" with the additional sentence of mentorship by a senior lawyer for a period of one year imposed by the GLC being “alien to the provisions of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) and the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 (L.I. 613).

He is, therefore, seeking "an order of the court setting aside the conviction and sentence of the Appellant".

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