Xavier Sosu applies to halt execution of 3-year ban

Embattled Human Rights Lawyer, Francis Xavier Sosu has applied for a stay of execution of his 3-year ban imposed by General Legal Council (GLC).

This comes after his formal appeal at the Court of Appeal to challenge the disciplinary action of the GLC against him.

A date is yet to be set for the hearing on the application which will determine whether or not the ban should take effect before the substantive appeal case is heard.

The GLC earlier this month announced that it had banned the lawyer for overcharging a client and also advertising his services on social media.

It said, within the 3-year period, Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu “shall not hold himself out as a Legal Practitioner or attend Chambers, or render, or purport to render any professional legal service to any person whomsoever, wheresoever.”

The General Legal Council said Lawyer Xavier-Sosu was barred for overcharging a client, one Francis Agyare, when he represented him in a Human Right case in Accra.

According to the General Legal Council, Lawyer Sosu charged his client GH¢50,000, which was “excessive” and an “overestimation” for the services rendered, although he [Sosu] had told the client he was offering his legal services for free.

It also added that that lawyer had flouted its Professional Conduct and Ettiquette rules by advertising his legal firm’s name and address on social media platform, Facebook.

But Francis Xavier Sosu who believes his ban is unfair is seeking a declaration that the General Legal Council erred in imposing the ban on him for overcharging a client and advertising his firm on social media.

He is also seeking a declaration that the charge of touting and personal advertisement levelled against him by the General Legal Council is discriminatory and contrary to Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution among others.

Some lawyers have commiserated with him, describing the punishment as too harsh.