2021 Martyrs Day: Judiciary to commemorate with a remembrance service
This day is commemorated to remember events of June 30, 1982 when three High court justices were abducted by unidentified assailants and assassinated in cold blood at the Bundase Military range in the Accra Plains.
Martyrs Day which falls on 30th June each year will be commemorated this year, on Wednesday, 30th June 2021.
This day is commemorated to remember events of June 30, 1982, in the Nation’s history when three High court justices were abducted by unidentified assailants and assassinated in cold blood at the Bundase Military range in the Accra Plains.
They were Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong, and Justice Fred Poku Sarkodie.
Justice Cecelia Koranteng Addow was born on 24th May 1936 in Assin, Central, Ghana. She had her secondary Education at Holy Child High School in Cape Coast. In 1959, she moved to the United Kingdom where she studied LLB at the University of Hull. She was called to the bar at the Lincoln’s Inn in London in 1963. She was a High Court Judge in Ghana from 1975 until her abduction and murder on June 30th, 1982.
Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong was born at Oyoko in November 1926. Went to Mfantsipim School in 1942, had a bachelor of law degree at Kings College in 1958, and called to Inner Temple in 1960. He was elevated to the position of High Court judge in 1977 and got married to Comfort Agyapong and had 10 children. His last child was 3 months when he was abducted.
All three who are known as the ‘Martyres of Rule of Law’ are remembered in an annual remembrance service by the Judicial Service on the anniversary of their deaths called Martyrs Day in Ghana.
The commemoration of their deaths on Martyrs Day is used as an appropriate occasion to examine the role of judges and lawyers in the defense of the rule of law.
In view of this year’s commemoration, the Chief Justice, His Lordship Kwasi Anin Yeboah has approved, as is the tradition, for Lawyers to withdraw their services in courts on Wednesday 30th June.
Furthermore, in furtherance of the tradition, all courts are to adjourn cases scheduled for Wednesday.
Attached is a copy of a release by the Chief Justice to all judges and magistrates to this effect.
