Hard drives missing at Law Court Complex

Computer accessories including hard drives have been stolen from about four High Courts located at the Law Court Complex in Accra.

The Daily Graphic has gathered that the courts affected by the theft include Criminal Court 1, the court hearing the case of Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni, a former CEO of COCOBOD and Seidu Agongo, a businessman, who are standing trial over allegations of causing financial loss of Gh¢271.3 million to the state.

The other courts affected by the theft are courts that deal with land-related disputes.

All the affected courts are located on the first floor of the Law Court Complex.

Law Court Complex

The Law Court Complex houses 44 High Courts, offices, a bank, eateries and other services. It is the biggest court complex in the country.

The theft was reported to have happened during the just ended legal vacation (August 1- October 4).

Sources also revealed that some workers of the Judicial Service had been questioned by state security agencies in relation to the incident.

Meeting with Chief Justice

Efforts to get an official confirmation from the Judicial Service, however, proved futile as officials denied knowledge or promised to get back with information.

A source, however, said the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, yesterday had a meeting with the Manager of the Law Court Complex.

“I can’t confirm the incident, but what I know is that the CJ is currently meeting the Manager of the Court Complex. I can’t also confirm if the said meeting is in relation to the incident you are talking about,” the source said.

Opuni’s trial

The said incident affected Opuni’s trial as the computers and the public address system were off during the hearing yesterday.

“We are currently experiencing some technical difficulties so please pardon us,” the presiding judge, Justice Clemence Honyenuga, told the court.

The hearing, however, continued with the court adjourning the case to November 13, 2019 due to a motion for stay of proceedings filed at the Court of Appeal by lawyers for Dr Opuni.

Security concerns

Sources told the Daily Graphic that security at the Law Court Complex had not been the best.

“Recently, we found a naked mad man inside the court complex. It was really a scary experience,” a source said.