An Appeals Court judge hearing an application for injunction brought by 14 circuit court judges and magistrates accused of taking bribes says a committee investigating the matter may have to suspend its work.
The 14 stormed the High Court early this month asking it to stop disciplinary proceedings instituted against them by the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood.
They are amongst 22 circuit court judges and magistrates suspended by the Chief Justice after they were caught on camera allegedly taking bribes to pervert justice.
A five-member committee was set up to probe the allegations but the 14 argued that what the Chief Justice did was unlawful and without due process and prayed the court to injunct it.
The committee, chaired by a Supreme Court judge, Justice Sophia Adinyira had earlier indicated that the probe would go on regardless of the suit. It has, however, postponed sitting on two occasions.
Meanwhile, in court today, Joy News’ Kwakye Afreh Nuamah reports that Appeals Court judge, Justice Gertrude Torkono, sitting with additional responsibilities as a High Court judge, indicated firmly that the committee ought to halt its work because of pendency of the case against same.
She explained that once the application of injunction has been served, it is deemed as a de-facto injunction.
Justice Torkono said she, therefore, does not expect the committee to continue with the hearing, Afreh reported.
Anthony Namoo, one of the counsel for the judges, told Joy News inspite of what Justice Torkono has stated, his clients will appear before the committee when invited as a “sign of respect”.
He however doubted the committee will sit on the case until the court decides.
Earlier, lawyers for the 14 lower court judges failed to block application from the Attorney General’s Department asking the court to quash injunction application by the judges.
The court had to adjourn sitting to next week, October 6 because the lawyers for the judges argued that they were only served this morning and therefore needed time to study the application.
SWIFT PROSECUTION
Meanwhile, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition is demanding swift prosecution of all judges, judicial staff and security personnel indicted in the judicial corruption scandal.
The anti-graft body is worried justice delayed could affect the country’s fight against corruption.
Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Campaign Coalition Linda Ofori Kwafo told Joy News the Chief Justice and the heads of the Ghana Police and Prisons Service must quickly punish all those implicated.
Madam Ofori Kwafo is also asking for the indicted police officers to be suspended immediately to avoid their interference with investigations.
Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com
