Justice William Atuguba
Justice William Atuguba

One of the longest serving judges of the Supreme Court, Justice William Atuguba, has retired after 44 years with the Judiciary.

His retirement took effect July 1, 2018 and a send off party has been held for him.

He was appointed as Supreme Court justice on November 30, 1995 during the era of former President JJ Rawlings.

During the famous 2012 Election Petition, Justice Atuguba, was the president of the nine-member panel which gave legitimacy to the Electoral Commission’s declaration of John Mahama as winner of the general polls.

He was first enrolled as a magistrate on 3 October 1974. He has worked as a private lawyer and served as a prosecutor and state attorney before being appointed a Supreme Court Judge. He was the acting Chief Justice from May 25, 2016 until June 3, 2016 while Justice Georgina Theodora Woode was outside the country on official duties.

He acted as Chief Justice from February 2017prior to the retirement of Georgina Theodora Wood on 8 June 2017 until 19 June 2017 when Sophia Akuffo was sworn in by President Akufo-Addo as the new Chief Justice.

Meanwhile, president Akufo-Addo has appointed four persons as justices of the apex court.

They are: Justice Samuel K. Marful-Sau, Justice of Appeal; Justice Agnes M. A. Dordzie, Justice of Appeal; Prof. Nil Ashie Kotey, former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon; and Nene A. 0. Amegatcherr, Private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association.

“I am, therefore, in accordance with Article 144(2), seeking the approval of Parliament for the appointment of the nominees as Justices of the Supreme Court. Their curricula vitae are hereby attached.

“Mr. Speaker, it is my respectful hope and expectation that the approval of the nominees will proceed expeditiously, to enable them assume office as soon as practicable,” a dispatch to Parliament on July 3, 2018 said.

Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM