Judiciary Scandal: Ghanaians call for prosecution of judges

A cross section of Ghanaians are calling for the prosecution of the judges and magistrates alleged to be involved in accepting bribes to influence cases.

They said corruption in the judiciary had been there for ages and that the exposé had come to confirm it.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency during an interview with a cross section of people within the central business district in Accra, Mr Iddrisu Adams, a Nima-Accra bound trotro driver, expressed surprise at the scale of corruption in the judiciary and appealed to the Chief Justice to restore public confidence in the judiciary by purging it.

A video exposé by ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas submitted to the Chief Justice last week exposed some Justices who took bribes to influence cases they sat on.

Mr Adams, the driver, lauded Anas for the good work done and urged the government to protect him from any harm.

Mr Abdul Salam Yoda, a media practitioner described the judicial scandal as very damning and said “although we have the perception that there is corruption in the judiciary, we did not know it is to this extent.”

He appealed to the Chief Justice to ensure that cases of the judges and magistrates caught on the video tape taking bribes to determine the outcome were well reviewed and dealt with.

Hajia Umu Osumanu, a trader, said not until the scandal was dealt with and justice made to take its course, Ghanaians would still find it difficult to place their confidence in the judiciary.

Ms Rosina Quansah, a government worker, observed that corruption was a social canker which should not be tolerated in the judiciary, and expressed fear on her part to appear before any law court in the country because a corrupt judge might deny her of justice.

Mr Prince Prempeh, a self-employed businessman, said corruption in the judiciary was a threat to the peace and security of the nation and urged the Attorney-General to ensure that any judge or magistrate found culpable was made to face the full rigors of the law.

Mr Kofi Antwi, a businessman, said despite the scandal, there were some good judges in the judiciary; adding that, “Ghanaians must not lose faith in the judiciary.”

The Judicial Council has so far suspended 22 circuit court judges and magistrates following the scandal.

It has also asked the 12 high court judges involved to file their written responses to the petition by close of Monday, September 14.

Source: GNA