Ghana suspends seven judges over bribe
Seven of the 12 justices of the High Court indicted in the bribery scandal that stunned the Ghanaian judiciary have been suspended by the presidency.
A statement signed by the Judiciary Secretary, Mr. Alex Opoku Acheampong said the directive was given by the Vice-President Kwesi Amissah Arthur in his capacity as Acting President on the advice of the Judicial Council.
The Judicial Council presided over by the Chief Justice; Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has been investigating the implicated judicial officers allegedly caught in a video taking bribe in order to pervert justice.
The statement announcing the suspension of the seven judges said, “On the advice of the Judicial Council, the VicePresident, Kwesi Bekoe AmissahArthur, acting in his capacity as President of the Republic of Ghana on Friday October 2, 2015, suspended from office with immediate effect, seven (7) out of the 12 justices of the High Court on the grounds of stated misbehavior. Their suspension is pursuant to article 146(10) (b) of the 1992 constitution.”
The statement declared that the suspension “follows the establishment of a prima facie case of stated misbehaviour against them by Hon. Lady Chief Justice pursuant to article 146(3) of the constitution and the setting up of a committee under article 146(4) to investigate the petition.”
Two of the affected Justices, Justice Mustapha Logo and Justice Paul Uuter Dery had their proceedings for the determination of a prima facie case against them suspended, due to a pending legal action they brought against the Chief Justice.
Another accused judicial officer, Justice Charles Quist investigation, according to the press release had been postponed on grounds of his poor health. He tendered a letter by his physician attesting to his ill-heath, it was stated.
Justice Daniel Obeng, whose name was cited in the petition, the Judicial Council said was absolved of any wrong-doing.