The High Court in Accra has directed Oliver Barker-Vormawor to urgently hire a new lawyer to expedite the hearing of the GHc10 million defamation case against him, filed by Albert Kan Dapaah, former National Security Minister.
This directive comes after Barker-Vormawor’s representative informed the court that his lawyer, Dr. Justice Srem Sai, has been appointed Deputy Attorney General and needs time to secure new representation.
However, Kan Dapaah’s lawyers, led by Bright Otchere Adjekum, argued that Dr. Sai’s appointment is public knowledge and should not delay the case.
Justice Joseph Adu-Owusu Agyeman, presiding over the case, emphasized that Barker-Vormawor should engage a new lawyer as soon as possible, given his current lawyer’s new role as Deputy Attorney General.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, when the case was called for further cross-examination of the Minister, the Defendant, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, was absent, along with his lawyer, who had been appointed Deputy Attorney General.
Elenam Philip Vormawor, representing the Defendant, stated that Barker-Vormawor was unwell.
He also informed the Court that the Defendant’s lawyer had been appointed Deputy Attorney General and requested time to find a new lawyer.
However, Counsel for the Plaintiff, Bright Otchere Adjekum, argued that the claim of illness was unsubstantiated, as there was “no proof of medical incapacity” presented to the Court.
Regarding the Defendant’s lawyer’s appointment as Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Adjekum noted that this was public knowledge since February 5, 2025, and that sufficient time had passed for the Defendant to hire a new lawyer.
Counsel for the Plaintiff Mr Adjekum submitted, “The lawyer should apply to withdraw his services as counsel, or the client can simply appoint another counsel. I pray that my Lord will discharge my client, as this is the second time we are not proceeding.”
The Court then signaled that the case adjourned the case to March 28, 2025.
When asked about the business of the adjourned date, the Court replied that it would be for the continuation of the matter.
Mr. Adjekum then requested costs against the Defendant, but the Court responded that it was not the Defendant’s fault that his lawyer had been appointed Deputy Attorney General.
The Court subsequently directed the Defendant to engage the services of another lawyer as soon as possible.
