I appeared before Her Ladyship Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay at Criminal Court 4 on the morning of Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
This is the same court handling the trial of Gifty Oware-Mensah, alongside several other high-profile criminal matters.
I had a Case Management Conference (CMC) scheduled for 9:00 a.m. By 8:50 a.m., I was already seated in court, only to realise that proceedings were already underway.
It is unusual for a High Court to sit before 9:00 a.m. unless specifically fixed. I later learned that, for convenience and efficiency, the judge conducts CMCs from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., hears motions from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and then proceeds to trials. This meant my case had to be adjourned. That’s just by the way.
I then noticed that Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority, who is standing trial for alleged stealing, wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and money laundering, was in the dock. The court was conducting a CMC in her case, with a lawyer from the Office of the Attorney-General on her feet for the prosecution.
I took a seat on the first pew directly behind the Bar and paid close attention to the proceedings. I immediately informed Media General’s court correspondent, who was then on his way to the Supreme Court, that Gifty Oware-Mensah’s case was ongoing in the court where I was seated.
I also mentioned that the Sky Train matter was scheduled to be heard in the same court at 10:00 a.m. I further informed him that I had seen Chairman Wontumi and his lawyers in Criminal Court 1 while making my way up to Criminal Court 4 which is on the third floor of the Law Court Complex.
Shortly after I settled in, the CMC in Gifty Oware-Mensah’s case concluded. Just before the court could proceed to fix trial dates, the prosecution prayed the court to hold on with fixing dates, indicating that they intended to make a “slight amendment” to the charge sheet, which would require the accused person’s plea to be taken again.
The judge immediately interjected, stating that any amendment necessitating a fresh plea could not be described as “slight.” She further indicated that the prosecution’s request would not affect her fixing of trial dates. Upon inquiry, the prosecution explained that the proposed amendment related only to the figures (amounts involved) and not to the charges themselves.
Her Ladyship explained that the prosecution was required to effect the amendment promptly and serve the amended charge sheet on defence counsel in good time, to enable the accused person to properly acquaint herself with it before the plea will be taken. The prosecution obliged.
At this point, learned Senior Counsel Gary Nimako, lead counsel for the accused person, rose to his feet. He prayed the court to set clear timelines for the amendment, service of the amended charge sheet, and the taking of the plea.
He explained that the absence of specific timelines had the potential to delay proceedings. The judge interjected, firmly but jovially, that she could not be slowed down, rhetorically asking whether counsel thought she wakes up early and closes late only to be delayed.
The judge added that she comes to court to do her work. This exchange was largely informal, with only the substance of counsel’s prayer captured on record. Anyone familiar with Her Ladyship’s court knows her blend of warm humour and firm control.
The court proceeded to grant the prosecution prayer to amend the charge sheet and ordered that the amended charge sheet be served on defence counsel, with the accused person’s plea to be taken on January 20, 2026. The court further ordered that trial should commence on January 22, 2026.
Her Ladyship then began mentioning multiple trial dates in quick succession. At this point, learned Senior Counsel Gary Nimako pleaded with the court to “SLOW DOWN” to enable counsel to properly record the dates. The judge, in a jovial retort, responded, “I WON’T SLOW DOWN,” urging counsel to keep up with her pace.
She jokingly asked whether Senior Gary had ever been taught by Ayisi Addo, remarking that students of Ayisi Addo had to always keep up with his fast pace.
The difficulty for counsel was understandable: while the judge merely had to announce dates, counsel had to consult their diaries and cross-check availability. After sufficient dates were taken, the parties agreed that additional dates would be fixed later in the course of the trial.
The case was accordingly adjourned to January 20, 2026 for the accused person’s plea on the amended charge sheet, with trial to commence on January 22, 2026.
These are the facts as I observed them while seated in court on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
