Ghana’s General Legal Council Defers Call-To-The-Bar Of YouTube-Blogger Elorm Ababio Over Complaints Of Misconduct.

*Set To Investigate Complaints Against Her

Ghanaian Twitter erupted on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, after news emerged a popular tweep, Elorm Ababio Known popularly on YouTube as Ama Governor, has been denied a call to become a member of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).

Ama Governor, known in private as Elorm Ababio, a graduate of Ghana Law School, was expected to be called to the bar on Friday, November 11, 2022.

But reports emerged online that Ama Governor the General Legal Council (GLC) has refused her the call.

A report on Myjoyonline indicated that the GLC had cited a complaint by a private individual about the conduct of Ama Governor on social media.

Ama Governor subtly confirmed the news as she took to Twitter to rant about her rights being trampled upon.

Meanwhile every citizen has a constitutional right to not be punished unless the act they’re punishing you for was defined on a written law and the penalty for it prescribed at B the time of the commission of the act. Otherwise, it’s unconstitutional. That’s what I learnt in law https://t.co/zGu6wQNUAv

— 𝚎𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚖 (@Ama_governor) November 9, 2022

In a reply to a friend’s tweet, Governor suggested the decision to stop her from being called to the Bar was unconstitutional.

A very vocal person on social media, Ama Governor is known to actively campaign for LGBTQ rights in Ghana. She claims to be LGBTQ herself. Apart from getting into controversies because of these views, Ama Governor is known to project nud*ty online.

The above behaviours, among others, are believed to be deemed by the petitioner as “conduct unbecoming of an application to be called to the Bar”.

This is Ama Governor admitting that she’s a lesbian, a member of LGBTQ+ family. Not surprised. pic.twitter.com/4cjZjdlVoR

— Albert Nat Hyde (@BongoIdeas) November 9, 2022

The above behaviours, among others, are believed to be deemed by the petitioner as “conduct unbecoming of an application to be called to the Bar”.

Following the news of the decision to refuse her being called to the Bar, opinions have been divided on social media.

While many think she deserves what has been served her, many others are fighting for her to be called to the bar. Already, her supporters have started an online petition.

Meanwhile, Elorm Ababio will not be called to the Ghana Bar due to a petition filed against her by a “concerned citizen”.

The complaint, according to a letter signed by Justice Cynthia Pamela A. Addo JA, Secretary, General Legal Council (GLC), stated that Ama Governor is seen in widely circulated videos engaging in what it describes as “conduct unbecoming of an applicant to be called to the Bar”.

The Complainant, the GLC Secretary indicated, also submitted a flash drive [pen drive] which contains selected video files and hyperlinks of Ama Governor to relevant website publications.

Ama Governor’s conduct is said to violate Regulation 21(c) of the Legal Profession (Professional and Post-call Law Course) Regulations, 2018 L.I. 2355.

The said Regulation states: “A student of the school qualifies to be called to the Bar, if that student has […] (c) satisfied the Council that the student is of good character.”

The Council, Justice Cynthia Pamela A. Addo JA said had thus decided:

“1. To constitute a three-member Committee to investigate the complaint and advise Council accordingly.

“2. To suspend the decision to call you [Ama Governor] to the Bar pending the outcome of the investigation.

“I have been directed by the Chairperson of the General Legal Council to inform you of this matter and to advise you to expect to be contacted by the Committee in due course.”

“You will be given a fair hearing on the complaint before a decision is arrived at,” Justice Cynthia Pamela A. Addo JA’s letter dated November 3, concluded.

The Ghana School of Law is set to call over 700 students to join the Ghana Bar Association on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

As part of the criteria, prospective students who wish to join the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) are to lead an exemplary life by maintaining a good character.

Meanwhile, since the news broke on Wednesday, an online petition has been launched to gather signatories in a quest to obtain ‘justice’ for the Ghanaian law student and YouTuber.