Four out of the twenty-one lower court judges who have been sacked by the Judicial Council following allegations of corruption against them by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, are going home with their end of service benefits simply because unlike the others, they apologized “profusely” for their actions. That is according to the Judicial Council which issued a statement on Monday December 7, to announce the outcome of the investigations by the five-member committee, into the conduct of the thirteen District Magistrates and eight Circuit Court judges. “Council has deliberated on the findings and recommendations of the committee and taken the appropriate decisions in respect of each of the circuit court judges or district court magistrates in accordance with Article 151 of the constitution.”
According to the Council, only four out of the 21 judges were paid their end of service benefits. “Those removed with benefits were remorseful when they appeared before the committee and apologized profusely to the people of Ghana and the judiciary for bringing the name of the institution into disrepute by their conduct,” the council said. The statement however failed to say what the other eighteen may have done or not, to be denied their end of service benefits. The four who were given their end of service benefits are His Honour Seyram Tsatsu Azumah – Circuit Court, Akropong, His Worship Paul K. Alhassan – District Court, Agona, His Worship Albert Zoogah – District Court, Ashaiman and His Worship Courage Ofori Afriyie – District Court, Offinso Background Some 22 lower court judges and 12 High Court judges were captured in Anas’ two-year investigative piece, allegedly taking bribes to influence justice. But one of the lower court judges was left off the hook, since according to the Judicial Council; he was mistakenly added to the list. This brought the number to 21.
The Chief Justice after setting up separate committees to investigate the judges, together 100 judicial service staff who were also captured on the tape, suspended the High Court Judges on the orders of the President after a prima facie case was established against them.
Already, some of the High Court judges have been battling their suspension in court claiming the investigative journalist acted illegally in the processes he used in securing the video, and that the content of it could not be used against them.
In a press conference to announce the recommendations of the five-member disciplinary committee that investigated the lower court judges, the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B.
Poku Acheampong thanked the committee members for a good job done.
He also assured the public that “the Judicial Council is determined to take prompt, resolute and necessary measures to ensure the integrity of the judiciary and the Judicial Service.”
The council stated that “further announcement on the other investigative committees will be made soon.”
List of Lower Court Judges sacked without benefits
Without Benefits
- His Honour Benjamin Y. Osei – Circuit Court, Juaben
- 2. Her Honour Florence Otoo Ninepence – Circuit Court, Tema
- His Honour Isaac B. Akwantey – Circuit Court , Wa
- His Honour Alex Obeng Asante – Circuit Court, Tarkwa
- His Honour Emmanuel K. Sunu – Circuit Court, Bolgatanga
- His Honour Baptist Kwadwo Filson – Circuit Court, Bibiani
- His Honour Emmanuel Opare – Circuit Court , Techiman
- His Worship Samuel Ahiabor – District Court, Adidome
- His Worship William Baffoe – District Court , Cape Coast
- His Worship Michael Boamah Gyamfi – District Court, Mampongteng
- His Worship Jacob Amponsah – District Court, Ejisu
- His Worship Frank Kingley Oppong – District Court, Kasoa
- His Worship Samuel Esselwalker – District Court, Bolgatanga
- His Worship Alfred K. A Mensah – District Court, Somanya
