Chief State Attorney Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh is facing severe repercussions from the General Legal Council (GLC) due to professional misconduct in his management of a case involving businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome.
The GLC, the regulatory body overseeing the legal profession in Ghana, took the decision to disbar Nerquaye-Tetteh after finding him guilty under Rule 2(2) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 (L.I. 613). This ruling effectively prohibits Nerquaye-Tetteh from practicing law in Ghana for the rest of his career.
The disciplinary action stems from an incident in 2011 when Nerquaye-Tetteh, while representing the state in a lawsuit filed by Alfred Agbesi Woyome, personally arranged for the transfer of GHs400,000 from Woyome to the bank account of his wife. The GLC noted that Nerquaye-Tetteh failed to provide a reasonable explanation for this transfer, leading to allegations of professional misconduct.
In a notice dated January 31, 2024, the GLC outlined the specifics of the case, highlighting the adverse impact of Nerquaye-Tetteh’s actions on the dignity and reputation of the legal profession. The notice emphasized that such behavior was unacceptable, particularly given Nerquaye-Tetteh’s position as a Chief State Attorney.
Signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Cynthia Pamela Koranteng, the notice officially disbars Nerquaye-Tetteh from practicing law and prohibits him from holding himself out as a lawyer or providing legal services to the public. The GLC’s decision to withdraw Nerquaye-Tetteh’s practicing license underscores the severity of the misconduct and reflects the council’s commitment to upholding professional standards within the legal profession.
The case involving Nerquaye-Tetteh serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct and accountability among legal practitioners, highlighting the consequences of breaching professional standards. As Ghana’s legal community processes this development, it underscores the need for vigilance and adherence to ethical principles to maintain public trust and confidence in the legal system.