In line with Article 144 (3) of the Constitution, 1992, the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo Addo, has nominated some members of the legal community- comprising (12) twelve serving Justices of the High Court and (8) eight private legal practitioners – to the Court of Appeal.
They include Nathan Parker Yarney, Mariam Agyeman Gyasi legal practitioners, Dr Poku Adusei a notable law lecturer, High Court Justices Gifty Dekyem, Alexander Osei Tutu and Yaw Oppong (Director of Legal Education).
Following their nominations by the President, the Judicial Council shall as a matter of law consider and approve the nominees before swearing in.
Of noteworthy is that the current nominees when approved and sworn into office would bring the number of Justices of Appeal to about 53. And given the sheer volume of pending cases on appeal and need to expeditiously deal with same, the impending additions are refreshing.
The Court of Appeal is the second highest court of the land after the Supreme Court. Its main function under Article 137 of the Constitution is the hearing and determination of appeals emanating from the lower courts and the High Courts, and such other appellate jurisdiction as may be conferred on it by the Constitution or any other law.
The Court of Appeal unlike High and Supreme Courts, is also bereft of original jurisdiction. However, in parliamentary election disputes, it acts as the final court.
The full list of the nominees as follows:
1. His Lordship Justin Dorgu J.
2. Her Ladyship Gifty Dekyem J.
3. His Lordship Kofi Akowuah J.
4. His Lordship Gyamfi-Danquah J.
5. Her Ladyship Olivia Obeng Owusu J.
6. Her Ladyship Cecilia Davis J
7. His Lordship George Krofa Addae J.
8. His Lordship Alexander Osei Tutu J.
9. His Lordship Francis Obiri J.
10. Her Ladyship Lydia Osei-Marfo J
11. His Lordship Kwasi Boakye J
12. His Lordship Aboagye Tandoh J.
13. Ms. Mariam Agyeman Gyasi Jawhary
14. Ms. Yaa Onyameye Gyakobo
15. Mr. Charles Zwennes
16. Mr. Yaw Oppong
17. Mr. Nathan Parker Yarney
18. Mr. David Boafo
19. Mr. Francis Koffie
20. Dr. Poku Adusei
