Two Judges Sacked

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday September 7, 2011.
The Judicial Council on August 30, 2011, sacked two magistrates who were found to have indulged in corruption and abuse of office.

One presided over a Juvenile Court at the Family Tribunal in Accra and the other was based at Berekum in the Brong Ahafo region.

Even though the Judicial Secretary Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong would not disclose the names of the affected judges, Daily Guide investigation revealed that the Juvenile Court Magistrate’s name is Linda Aklamanu while the other Magistrate in Berekum, a male, is yet to be identified.

The Judicial Secretary told Daily Guide yesterday that the Chief Justice has acted on petitions from people who were appearing before the magistrates.

Explaining the circumstances leading to the dismissal of the judges, the Judicial Secretary who declined to mention their names said “there was a petition on August 8, 2011 sent by a petitioner to the Chief Justice on allegations of misconduct on the part of the Magistrate.”

He said on August 10, another petition was brought to the Chief Justice and they acted swiftly by appointing a four member investigative committee chaired by a High Court Judge to go into the petitions.

“The Magistrate had been accused of having taken money in a case and it was reported to the CJ. It was a case of gross misconduct.”

The Judicial Secretary said the committee investigated the matter and the affected magistrate appeared before it with her lawyer while the petitioner was also granted audience in the presence of her lawyer.

“The report was forwarded to the Chief Justice on August 29 and the next day the Judicial Council met and the CJ forwarded the matter to the council.

They were cited for improper conduct and gross misconduct. In line with constitutional provisions, the Judicial Council took the decision to dismiss them.”

He said “what this should indicate is that where there is an allegation of corruption or misconduct on the part of a judge and there is evidence the judiciary will swiftly deal with it.”

“Even a High Court judge is facing a panel to answer questions. We have said over and over again that where there is evidence of corruption as it was done in this case we will act,” he said.

He said the speed with which the petitions were handled is an indication that the Chief Justice was serious about tackling issues of misconduct and corruption leveled against judges and staff of the judiciary.

“The evidence was clear and overwhelming. The judicial council endorsed the findings. This shows that the Chief Justice is ready to deal with the issue of corruption.”

He asked the public to continue to have confidence in the judiciary saying “definitely this should send signals that any judge or staff who uses his/her office to indulge in corruption will not be shelved. We are committed to taking prompt action.”