Donald Trump’s legal team wants to void a contempt ruling and $10,000-per-day fine against the former president over a subpoena for documents related to a New York civil investigation into his business dealings, saying they’ve conducted a detailed search for the relevant files.
A new, 66-page court filing dated Friday describes Trump’s lawyers’ efforts to produce documents sought by New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office, which is probing whether Trump may have misstated the value of assets like skyscrapers and golf courses on financial statements for over a decade.Trump has called the investigation a political witch hunt and recently called James, who is Black, “racist” and said the courts were “biased, unyielding, and totally unfair.”
Last week, a New York appellate judge rejected his bid to suspend the fine while Trump appeals the decision.In the recent court filing, Trump attorney Alina Habba said the responses to the subpoena were complete and correct and that no relevant documents or information were withheld.
Habba conducted searches of Trump’s offices and private quarters at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, according to the filing, but didn’t find any relevant documents that hadn’t already been produced. The filing also detailed searches of other locations including file cabinets and storage areas at the Trump Organization’s offices in New York.In a separate sworn affidavit included with the filing, Trump stated there aren’t any relevant documents that haven’t already been produced.
He added that he owns two cellphones: an iPhone for personal use that he submitted in March to be searched as part of the subpoena, then submitted again in May; plus a second phone he was recently given that’s only used to post on Truth Social, the social media network he started after his ban from Twitter, Facebook and other platforms.
In a previous court ruling, Habba called the contempt ruling and fine “unconscionable and indefensible.”
A leading member in the ruling New Patriotic Party, Gabby Asare Octchere Darko has stated that he is not pleased with the current economic conditions in Ghana.In an interview on Ase radio the NPP member noted that his perspective on the economy cannot be different from that of everyone,including the president and other members of government.
I am not sure my perspective will be different from yours.I am not happy with the economy. i don’t think you are happy with the economy to.I certainly don’t think the president is also happy with the economy because he had made it so;he said so that he is not happy.His vice has repeated that,his finance minister has said same.So we are all not happy with the economy he said \.
He further explained, you cannot run away from the fact that the economy is facing serious challenges,that’s accepted,and you cannot run away from the fact that ghanaians are struggling.You cannot run away from the fact that government is trying its best to in managing the situation.Is that the best?I BELIEVE THAT TIME WILL TELL’ he added
New York’s Law Department said it dismissed the lawyer after discovering she had made a misrepresentation in court filings.
Police officers block a street during demonstrations in 2020. Several law suits have been filed, accusing officers of using undue force. Credit…Demetrius Freeman for The New York Times
Demonstrations in New York after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer led to a wave of lawsuits accusing the police of using excessive force and other abusive tactics that violated protesters’ rights.
The litigation has been fought bitterly in federal court, with lawyers for protesters claiming New York had repeatedly failed to turn over key documents and video footage, and the city’s Law Department arguing it was working diligently to keep up with demands being made in the many suits.
But now, the Law Department has told a Manhattan federal magistrate judge that it has fired a lawyer in the case after she was found to have made a misrepresentation in a court filing and additional ones in communications with the protesters’ lawyers.
In a letter to the judge on Friday, the Law Department said the lawyer, Dara L. Weiss, had told the court in a recent filing that she had sent an email to lawyers for the protesters to set a date for the parties to discuss a dispute. In fact, the department said, she had only drafted the email but had not sent it.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has entreated members of the public to forgo the past and reignite their hope in the Police Service.
According to the IGP, the ill-conduct of some of its personnel have left a bad name for the Service and such thoughts continue to linger in the minds of Ghanaians.
Speaking at an induction ceremony of some newly registered pharmacists in Accra, he noted that the Service under his outfit is making efforts to reverse the ill-reputation.
“We are pleading with you, let go of our past and let us be. We understand we lost your trust, we lost your confidence and your respect, but we are going to bring them back.”
“So please, don’t continue to judge us by our past and by extension even insult us because this is the police we all have as a nation,” he added.
n September 2021, a police officer was arrested by the Kintampo Divisional Police Command for allegedly stealing a motorbike and other items belonging to the Ghana Police Service.
In January this year, four security personnel were arrested in Bole for stealing during an operation at Koundanlgou. They were interdicted.
But in his delivery, Dr George Akuffo Dampare noted that the current administration has identified the shortfalls and is making efforts to rectify them.
He urged Ghanaians to throw their weight behind the Service in its quest to be the best institution in the country rather than chastise them as such comments would go a long way to demoralize good officers.
We have done several introspections, and we know where the problems are. That is why we can convince ourselves that we are the best institution. So bear with us and encourage us because if you have a child, and you don’t speak good about the child, the child will not turn out to be good.”
“So irrespective of how painful our past historical issues have been, if you want to be biblical, we say we have been born again.”
The Good Law Project, the legal campaign group which has brought several high-profile cases against the government, today announced it is setting up its own independent law firm.
Good Law Practice, which plans to open for business from next month, will help run litigation brought by the Good Law Project and its partners and will be headed up by Jamie Potter, currently joint head of Bindmans’ public law and human rights team.
The firm will be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and funded by the Good Law Project, which said the practice ‘will make its services available to Good Law Project, and its partners, on terms they can afford’. Any profits it makes will be returned to the Good Law Project.
The group’s founder and director Jo Maugham QC said: ‘We want to foster legal structures that help people respond to the world around them. The engagement that follows is, we believe, how we make a better world and fulfil the desire we all share to leave a better world than we found. Delivering on this is my mission.
‘The practice will help us become even more responsive to the needs of the communities that we serve, in a world and a political system that is growing ever more dynamic.’
Potter added: ‘This is an exciting opportunity to build a law firm that can support and facilitate the exceptional work being done by Good Law Project to scrutinise public decision-making through the law, and to empower under-represented groups to participate in a legal system that can often feel impenetrable to the uninitiated.
‘We want Good Law Practice to be a training ground for the public law and social welfare lawyers of the future. Such expertise is invaluable as trust in our political system is eroded, wealth is distributed increasingly unequally and legal aid is constantly narrowed.’
Good Law Practice will start with four qualified lawyers and a number of paralegals and support staff but plans to double in size by the end of this year and has opened a recruitment exercise for lawyers and paralegals, particularly those with knowledge of housing, civil rights and protest law.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to, in accordance with Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution, appoint an Independent Commission of Inquiry into the matters relating to the Achimota Forest land saga.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, said the Minority Caucus had taken note of the statement by the Government to justify the patently flawed change of use or re-zoning of the Achimota Forest Reserve.
He said the Executive Instrument numbered 144, the Forests (Cessation of Forest Reserve) Instrument, 2022, issued “By Command of the President” and signed by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, claims to be made in exercise of the power conferred on the President by section 19 of the Forest Act, 1927 (CAP. 157).
However, the current law regulating land use and spatial planning in Ghana is the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925).
“It is clear that the Executive Instrument 144 is in breach of the provisions of Act 925,” he said.
Mr Iddrisu said Section 90(1) of Act 925 provides that: “Where a provision of this Act is in conflict with any other enactment relating to land use, the provision of this Act shall prevail.”
He said Section 93(4) of Act 925, which relates to the change or use or re-zoning of a public space, states unequivocally that: “… the change of use or re-zoning of a public space shall be subjected to approval by Parliament.”
Section 198 of Act 925 interprets “public space” to mean a “generally open area accessible to and used by the public including resource lands … natural park areas, forests, urban parks, recreational areas…”.
The Minority Leader said besides the role of the District Spatial Planning Committee, Parliamentary approval was, therefore, a requirement for the change of use or re-zoning of the Achimota Forest Reserve.
He said Section 96 of Act 925 required that the re-zoning be done before the Government could convey the land to any person.
It was well known that Article 257(1) of the 1992 Constitution vested public lands “in the President on behalf of, and in trust for, the people of Ghana.”
Mr Iddrisu said the definition of “public lands” in Article 257(2) undoubtedly covered the Achimota Forest Reserve area. Holding such lands in trust also means the President must comply with the laws of Ghana.
He noted that the said E.I. 144, which seeks to change the use or re-zone the Achimota Forest, which was a public space, had no legal basis and should be disregarded by all.
“It is remarkable that the President seeks conveniently to use provisions in an outdated colonial law, while disregarding current law, to dispose of parts of the Achimota Forest Reserve against the will and interest of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Iddrisu stated, adding: “This is clearly an abuse of trust.”
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority, therefore, calls on President Nana Akufo-Addo to do what is right and proper by respecting the provisions in the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) and the letter and spirit of the 1992 Constitution of actually holding public lands on behalf of, and in trust for, the people of Ghana”.
Mr Iddrisu said the NDC Minority shall continue to seek the best interest of the Ghanaian people.
Prominent Georgia attorneys question the actions of sheriff’s deputies in Liberty County, Georgia, some even speculating that they violated the civil rights of student-athletes from a Delaware HBCU when they searched the lacrosse players’ motorcoach. who pulled over and searched a bus filled with student-athletes from Delaware State University traveling home from a match in Florida, has already brought calls for legal consequences. The Delaware Attorney General has called for a federal civil rights investigation and several Georgia attorneys also questioned the deputies’ behavior.
“It was disturbing,” said Melissa Redmon, clinical assistant professor and prosecutorial justice program director at the University of Georgia School of Law. “I know how intrusive those stops may be, even if they’re legal.”
The Steering Committee for the sixth Ghana International Trade and Finance conference will map out strategies that will enhance African trade and leverage the development of the continent.
The conference, which will take place in Ghana’s capital, Accra, on 23rd and 24th May, 2022, will seek to update the evidence base of what is currently available in terms of reviewing the AfCFTA, data on digital trade.
A statement signed by Mr Selasi Koffi Ackom , Chief Executive Officer of GITFIC and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Thursday said it would also identify potential options for estimating the value of Cross Border Payment & Settlement given the current data gaps.
It said the conference would also consolidate the conversation from the 5th Conference on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Role of Local Governance in helping with extensive sensitisation, education, and preparing the minds of the Business Communities within our Metropolitan, Municipal, and District localities.
The Vice President of VISA, MasterCard, Swift’s Senior Country Director for Western Africa, Chief Executive of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Chief Executive of the Association of Micro-finance Institutions in Kenya, and the Regional Head of Société Général in West Africa based in Abidjan are the panel upare the panel members on day one for discussion on the Theme: Towards an Effective and Efficient Mobile Money Transactional Penetrations in Africa; A Catalyst to solving Cross Border Payment & Settlement, an Anticipated-Barrier within the AfCFTA; – The Role of Financial Regulators and Stakeholders.
The second day will have Trade Ministers within the continent joining the conclave on the Theme: Measuring the Acceptability and Adaptation Level of the AfCFTA on the African Continent a Year after Implementation of the 1st Phase;- Where do we stand in terms of Trade in Goods, Trade in Service, and Dispute Resolution Protocols (Policy Direction) with focus on the Role of Africa’s Local Governance Structures in preparing their various Business Communities to take advantage
The statement said the final panel discussion on day two would be on the theme: Leveraging on the pillars of Trade-Finance – A catalyst for Industrial Growth and Acceleration Post Pandemic; the Role of Payment, Financing, Risk Mitigation, and Access to Information.
“This panel will seek to address current woes facing industries due to the prolonged restrictions on the COVID pandemic, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the post pandemic – the available finance options for industry. “
The Vice President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, the Head of Trade Finance at the African Development Bank, the Ivorian President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Special Advisor to the Ivorian President of the Federation of SMEs comprise the third panel.
Special Invited Guests include the African Union Economic Commissioner for Trade, Industry, and Mining. The Director General of the West African Monetary Institute will lecture on a special presentation on the entire scope of the implementation of the Pan African Payment and Settlement System;- an undeniable critical component of the Continental Free Trade.
Representing Ghana’s Industry is Mr. Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo; Greater Accra Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries.
Other participants include; the Ghana International Trade Commission, GUTA, Ghana Canada Chamber of Commerce et al.
There are confirmed delegations from Kenya, Angola, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic.
Texas state regulators on Wednesday asked a judge to discipline the state’s top lawyer, Attorney General Ken Paxton, arguing he made “dishonest” claims of election fraud in a U.S. Supreme Court petition that supported former President Donald Trump’s challenge to the 2020 presidential election.
The Texas State Bar, an agency that oversees licensed attorneys in the state, filed a lawsuit against Paxton in state court in Dallas.
The lawsuit asks a judge to impose an “appropriate sanction.” Potential disciplinary measures can include suspension or disbarment.
“Respondent’s representations were dishonest,” the state bar’s Commission for Lawyer Discipline said in the complaint, referring to Paxton’s petition at the high court.
“His allegations were not supported by any charge, indictment, judicial finding, and/or credible or admissible evidence, and failed to disclose to the Court that some of his representations and allegations had already been adjudicated and/or dismissed in a court of law,” the regulators added.
Paxton’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment but last month he said he had learned of the legal challenge and planned to defend himself.
“I stand by this lawsuit completely,” Paxton said at the time, calling the lawsuit a “historic challenge to the unconstitutional 2020 presidential election joined by nearly half of all the states and over a hundred members of Congress.”
The Supreme Court in December 2020 rejected Paxton’s long-shot lawsuit, which sought to throw out voting results in four states.
Madam Vicky Ford, the United Kingdom Minister for Africa, has announced a successful deal between the UK and Ghana that will see some 70 armoured Husky vehicles deployed to Northern Ghana to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.
A statement issued by the UK High Commission in Accra and copied to the Ghana News Agency said Madam Ford had arrived in Accra following the success of the first UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) held in-person since 2019.
It said the Council was held in the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the heart of London with the senior Government of Ghana delegation led by Mr Alan Kyerematen, Ghana’s Minister for Trade and Industry.
It said arriving in Ghana for the second time in 2022, Madam Ford’s visit signals the importance the UK places on the deep and broad bilateral partnership.
It said with almost a billion dollars’ worth of trade between Ghana and the UK, the British Government was committed to growing this by the end of 2024.
Following her arrival at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Madam Ford said: “It is fantastic to be back in Ghana, to continue the conversations, decisions and opportunities discussed both at UK-Ghana Business Council and during my visit in February.”
It’s also been fantastic to meet colleagues from the African Development Bank in-person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am proud to use my visit to announce a successful deal between our nations that will see 70 armoured Husky vehicles deployed to Northern Ghana to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.”
The statement noted that the UK Minister for Africa would attend the African Development Bank’s meeting of Governors where she was expected to sign a climate finance deal worth up to $2 billion.
It said announced at COP26, at least half of the ‘Room to Run’ guarantee would unlock support for countries across the Continent to manage the impacts of climate change.
It said the signing honours the global commitments made at COP26 by leaders from around the world including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Welcoming Madam Ford to Accra for the second time in 2022, Madam Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, said: “Ghana is a beacon of security, stability and democracy in a troubled region.”
“Its role in ECOWAS and membership of the UN Security Council means that Ghana has a vital role in safeguarding democratic principles and defending freedoms across West Africa and beyond.
“We strongly support Ghana’s leadership in this.
Our partnership in recent times includes the fight against the impact of climate change and, of course, global health security.
She said Madam Ford’s return to Ghana would reinforce this partnership through the signing of a climate finance deal, to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.
The statement said Madam Ford would pay tribute to the enduring UK-Ghana security and defence partnership, announcing the completion of a deal between the nations that would see 70 armoured Husky vehicles arrive in Ghana.
It said the vehicles would be used to bolster security along the country’s Northern border, protecting communities from the threat of extremists inciting violence across the border.
It said linked to the deal, worth more than $10 million, the UK armed forces would provide training for Ghanaian troops, including training of Ghanaian instructors to teach the operation and daily maintenance of the vehicles.
The statement recalled that Madam Ford last visited Ghana in February 2022 as Russia unlawfully invaded Ukraine.It said during this visit the Minister met with Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and held meetings with like-minded partners in Accra including ambassadors from the American Embassy, the French Embassy, and Kenya High Commissioner to Ghana, Eliphas Barine and Mr Kwabena Osei-Danquah, former United Nations General Assembly Chef de Cabinet.
It said during her previous trip, the Minister also visited the West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), based at the University of Ghana.It said now, with vital UK-backing, the centre was supporting the country and the region on COVID-19 genome sequencing.
The statement said Madam Ford also met the scientists working on antimalarial drug resistance and new malaria vaccines in partnership with UK research institutions including Edinburgh University, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Francis Crick Institute.
