For the many who are scared of going to court over the sheer outrageous length of time litigation travels, Justice Afia Serwaa Botwe’s court may just be giving renewed hope in the justice system for them.
At every turn in her court, Lady Serwaa insists and ensures that time is judiciously spent on the case.
In the ongoing prosecution of Bawku Central Member of Parliament (MP), Mahama Ayariga, drama unfolded when Justice Botwe, sitting at the Financial Court 2 Division of the High Court, insisted that the case was not to be adjourned and that the trial commenced with the cross-examination of some witnesses.
The judge set for the lawyers a three-day continuous trial from Monday to Wednesday, starting at 10 am on each day.
The Bawku Central lawmaker is being prosecuted for abuse of office and for tax evasion. This is pursuant to two separate cases initiated at the High Court against the legislator for his use of a parliamentary loan facility for the purchase of an official vehicle, and, the MP’s purchase of an ambulance for the Bawku Municipal Assembly.
Former Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu first initiated criminal charges against Mahama Ayariga in 2019 and the trial has since suffered many adjournments; one of which was occasioned by the “disappearance” of the SP’s witnesses.
A frustrated Justice Afia Serwaa Botwe in court on Monday thus insisted that the case was not to be adjourned again without the trial opening and a witness being cross-examined.
Pleas by lawyers from all sides in the matter did not move the judge as she maintained “I can not adjourn when I have work to do”.
For lawyers who attempted using tiredness as an excuse, Lady Serwaa retorted “between you and me who should be complaining of tiredness? You have no cooking to do, no baby to bathe.”
And for lawyers who attempted using their rumbling bowls as a getaway ticket, the judge queried, “What should I give you, do you want drinks? Do you want toffee? What do you want?”
Justice Afia Serwaa Botwe thus gave the Bar a 25-minute break before the opening of full trial after the lawyers failed to choose a possible break duration for themselves.