GLC declines Ama Governor’s application to be called to the bar for the second time

For the second time in a row, social media influencer Elorm Ababio has been denied admission to the Ghana Bar.

The General Legal Council established a committee in November last year to investigate the applicant-in-waiting to be called to the bar, popularly known as Ama Governor, following a charge of misconduct widely distributed films engaged in conduct unworthy of a candidate.

Following examination of the report, the Council determined to allow her to fill out the necessary paperwork for her application to be called to the Bar in October/November 2023, noting observation and monitoring of her activities as justification.

In an unexpected change of events, the General Legal Council said in a statement that it has denied Ama Governor's application to be called to the Bar, with the ceremony scheduled on Friday, October 20, 2023.
The council decided her fate at a meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, after considering her public behavior leading up to the application.

The decision of the General Legal Council has sparked public outrage, particularly on social media, as it comes as a surprise to many in the legal community. The development has aroused debate among legal experts and the general public about the standards and factors that determine eligibility for admission to the Bar.

According to a letter from the General Legal Council to Elorm dated March 13, 2023, the council had been closely watching her activities in the run-up to her application. This examination of her public behavior influenced the council's final decision.

While the specifics of the council's concerns have not been made public, it is apparent that Ama governor's public acts and words were regarded troublesome enough to justify the rejection of her application to join the bar.

On future considerations for Ama Governor to apply to join the bar, the council agreed that she may reapply to be called to the bar whenever there is a scheduled enrolment ceremony following the 20 October 2023 enrolment ceremony. It also stated that the Council will continue to investigate her actions.

The General Legal Council's judgment has sparked debate about how to strike a balance between an individual's freedom of expression and the ethical standards demanded of legal practitioners.

Legal scholars say that the legal profession necessitates moral character and ethical behavior because lawyers play an important role in protecting justice and the rule of law.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo expressed surprise at the widespread outrage in response to the Ghana Legal Council's earlier decision not to call Ama Governor.

"When someone behaves in a certain way and we say we cannot call the person to the bar, I was surprised at the uproar that erupted over the call to the bar of certain people, and I thought, like seriously?"

"Is this proper behavior in the legal profession?" That's intriguing. So, if you want to enter the legal profession, you can't be obscene and obnoxious and expect to get admitted; it doesn't work that way. Your social media remarks and ex parte interactions with the judge are highly important," she said at an event in Accra about the behavior of law students and attorneys in general.

The situation calls into question aspiring lawyers' responsibilities to maintain a high standard of conduct in both their private and public life, especially in this day and age of social media and heightened public scrutiny.