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 Justice Anin Yeboah
Justice Anin Yeboah

Chief Justice bans large numbers in courtrooms over COVID-19

The Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah, has banned all persons from courtrooms, with the exception of parties and witnesses to a case.

This means only people who have filed cases or have cases to answer in court; their respective lawyers and witnesses will be allowed in courtrooms to avoid large gatherings.

In a press release, the Chief Justice also directed judges and magistrates to suspend all cases involving convicted or remand prisoners which would necessitate the transportation of persons from prisons and cells to the courtroom.

“Judges and magistrates should suspend the hearing of cases involving the movement of convicted and remand prisoners from the prisons to the courts. In Criminal Appeals, the courts should dispense without the appearance of appellants who are in prison custody,” the release said.

The ban is meant to keep the courts operational in the face of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and is in response to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s directive to all institutions to implement measures that will combat the spread of COVID-19.

Remand prisoners

Also, the Chief Justice has further directed judges and magistrates to only hear cases “which are of extreme urgency and as far as possible”.

“Judges and magistrates must exercise great restraint in remanding accused persons in order to avoid overcrowding the prisons and police cells,” Justice Anin Yeboah directed.

More measures

Other measures announced by the Chief Justice include a directive to judges and magistrates to adjourn cases to specific dates and times “to limit the number of people who will be allowed into court rooms”.

“Case lists should be reduced drastically for few cases to list for hearing,” the Chief Justice added.

Additionally, Justice Anin Yeboah also announced that hand sanitisers had been provided for court users, while arrangements were being made to disinfect the courtrooms regularly.

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