His justification is that courts are on legal vacation and he will uphold the long-standing legal tradition by not attending proceedings during the legal break.

Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for former National Signals Bureau Director Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife Angela Adjei Boateng has declared that he will not appear in court on August 17 while there is legal vacation.

President Hakainde Hichilema was elected five years ago, promising to protect civil liberties in his copper-rich African nation. Now, he’s accused of trampling on them.