Fred Poku Sarkodee was a Ghanaian judge and one of the murdered judges that were abducted on 30 June 1982.
Early life and education
Sarkodee was born in
Koforidua in the
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on 26 August 1927.
He began his education at the ECM school in Koforidua and continued at
Adisadel College in 1943, where he obtained his Ordinary Level certificate (O-Level) in 1948. Following the 1948 strike by various students in Ghana in protest against the arrest of
The Big Six, which he had joined, he was dismissed by the school. He continued his education through private studies with the aid of private teachers who had been hired by his father to help him prepare for the
Advanced Level examination (A-Level) which he consequently passed. In 1950 he was sent to
Fourah Bay College in
Sierra Leon for his undergraduate studies and, in 1954, he proceeded to the United Kingdom to study law. In 1959, he was admitted into the society of the
Middle Temple where he completed his studies in 1961.
Career
Following his studies in the
United Kingdom, Sarkodee returned to
Ghana, where he was employed at the office of the Attorney General. In 1966, he became a Senior Attorney and, on 22 May 1971, he became a High Court judge.
As a judge, he was known to have advocated for the cause of women prior to the existence of the 'Intestate Succession Law of 1985 (PNDCL III)', which was enacted to protect a married spouse under customary law. In the case of ''Abebreseh v Kaah'' in 1976, Sarkodee argued that a wife who had contributed substantially to the estate of her deceased husband was not to be deprived of the fruit of her labour. He further added that the contributions of the widow to the estate could not be considered as mere assistance, as good conscience would not permit that. Also, in 1973, concerning the case of ''Addo v Addo'', Sarkodee's verdict was that "persistently refusing a young wife sexual intercourse over a long period constituted unreasonable behaviour such that the wife ought not to be called upon to endure it any longer."
Personal life
Sarkodee was married to Mrs. Mrs. Yvonne Sarkodee. Together, they had five children. Sarkodee loved to play golf and tennis.
Abduction and death
Sarkodee together with three others (Justice
Cecilia Koranteng-Addow
Cecilia Koranteng-Addow (née Gaisie, 24 May 1936 – 30 June 1982) was a High court judge in Ghana from 1975 until her abduction and murder on 30 June 1982, during the second military rule of Jerry Rawlings.
Early life and education
Cecilia ...
, Justice
Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong
Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong was a Ghanaian judge and one of the murdered judges that were abducted on 30 June 1982.
Early life and education
Born in Oyoko in the Ashanti Region in November 1926. Agyapong's early education began at the Asokore Local ...
, and Major Sam Acquah), was abducted during curfew hours (which started at 6pm and ended at 6am) on June 30, 1982. According to the report of the Special Investigation Board appointed by the
PNDC
The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) was the name of the Ghanaian government after the People's National Party's elected government was overthrown by Jerry Rawlings, the former head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, in a coup ...
, one of the abductors, Johnny Dzandu, told the abducted persons that they were "enemies of the revolution". The abductors were driving in a Fiat Compagnola jeep during curfew hours. The abducted people were later found dead with gun-shot wounds and superficial burns.
Legacy
Following the deaths of the abducted judges and a military man, the country has viewed these abducted judges as martyrs of the rule of law. Their busts were raised on the premises of the forecourt of the
Supreme Court of Ghana
The Supreme Court of Ghana is the highest judicial body in Ghana. Ghana's 1992 constitution guarantees the independence and separation of the Judiciary from the Legislative and the Executive arms of government.1992 Constitution Article 125( ...
as a perpetual memorial of their sacrifice.
The note on his bust in the forecourt of the Supreme Court reads;
"Justice Poku Sarkodie will be remembered as the cool, calm, and collected gentleman that the very embodiment of curtesy, hard work, being fair, and firm. He exhibited Judicial taciturnity and versatility. He was committed to his family, work and God. May his good soul rest in peace."
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sarkodee, Frederick Poku
20th-century Ghanaian lawyers
1927 births
1982 deaths
Alumni of Adisadel College
Fourah Bay College alumni
20th-century Ghanaian judges
Ghanaian murder victims
1982 murders in Africa
Deaths by firearm in Ghana