The businessman at the centre of the GH¢51 million Waterville judgment debt case, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, has questioned the rationale behind General Legal Council (GLC) punishing the Chief State Attorney, Samuel Nerquaye-Tetteh.
According to Woyome, Mr Nerquaye-Tetteh did no crime, therefore the actions taken against the attorney are unjustified.
The GLC disbarred Nerquaye-Tetteh based on a violation of Rule 2(2) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 (L.I. 613). This decision effectively bars Nerquaye-Tetteh from practicing law in Ghana for the remainder of his career.
The disciplinary action originates from a 2011 incident where, during his representation of the state in a lawsuit initiated by Alfred Agbesi Woyome, Nerquaye-Tetteh orchestrated the transfer of GH¢400,000 from Woyome to his wife’s bank account. The GLC found Nerquaye-Tetteh’s failure to provide a reasonable explanation for this transfer as grounds for allegations of professional misconduct.
In a notice dated January 31, 2024, the GLC detailed the case, emphasizing the detrimental impact of Nerquaye-Tetteh’s actions on the legal profession’s dignity and reputation.
The notice underscored the unacceptability of such conduct, particularly given Nerquaye-Tetteh’s role as a Chief State Attorney.
Signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Cynthia Pamela Koranteng, the notice formally disbars Nerquaye-Tetteh from practicing law and prohibits him from representing himself as a lawyer or offering legal services to the public.
The GLC’s revocation of Nerquaye-Tetteh’s practicing license underscores the gravity of the misconduct and reflects the council’s commitment to maintaining professional standards in the legal field.
In a statement to reporters on Friday, February 16, Woyome denied accusations of bribing the senior state attorney, asserting his law-abiding nature.
He clarified that Nerquaye-Tetteh never handled his file, emphasizing a judgment that absolves anyone claiming illegal payment to Woyome.
Woyome questioned the Attorney General’s continued tarnishing of his image and highlighted that Nerquaye-Tetteh’s involvement was limited, only deputizing in court when necessary, and after government negotiation.
“I want you to understand one thing that I have been law-abiding in this country. I’ve never given a bribe or taken a bribe, because even I’ve never been in a government position neither have I benefited from any government money whatsoever in any government. My brief stake in the government of Atta Mills as a board chairman and also as appointment committee member. Even fuel coupons I never accepted.”
“We have this judgement that bars anybody that says that Alfred Woyome was illegally paid. Bars anybody that says that Nerquaye-Tetteh or anybody that was involved in this transaction from Kufuor’s time to the NDC’s time has done something wrong.
“On what basis is the Attorney General still tarnishing the image of a person for all these years. If you read deeply, you’ll realise that Mr Nerquaye-Tetteh never handled my file. The only time Nerquaye-Tetteh was sent to court was when there was somebody out and he went to deputize and even that one it was after the government negotiation.
“Every payment made was by court order and the decision was taken in the highest arm of government from the castle.
“Every letter and every decision was copied to the then President, Chief of Staff and other people. How then can just a Chief State Attorney take a decision; in some of the meetings he was not even there,” he further explained.
Background:
The General Legal Council, in a notice dated January 31, 2024, and signed by Judicial Secretary Justice Cynthia Pamela Koranteng, revoked Nerquaye-Tetteh’s license due to professional misconduct.
The council found him guilty under Rule 2(2) of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 1969 (L.I. 613). Nerquaye-Tetteh oversaw the direct transfer of GH¢400,000 from Woyome to his wife’s account while representing the state in a 2011 lawsuit.
The GLC stated that he failed to provide a plausible rationale for the transfer, adversely affecting the “dignity and high standing of the legal profession.” Nerquaye-Tetteh is barred from practicing law in Ghana.