As the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) begins its annual conference from today Monday 13th September, one topical issue expected to occupy the minds of participants is the ongoing probe into the massive corruption that has hit the country’s judiciary.
The body of Lawyers is converging in the Ashante Regional Capital of Kumasi where it’s meeting to deliberate on matters affecting it and also how to ensure further development of the justice system in Ghana.
The Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Woode and Attorney General Marietta Brew Appiah Oppong who are among the speakers at the event, are expected to touch on the scandal that has the potential of impacting negatively on the integrity of Ghana’s judiciary.
The past week has witnessed public attacks on the Judiciary after Ace investigative Journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas in an exposé established that some 34 Judges were neck deep in corrupt practices in the discharge of their work.
Consequently the Judicial Council has instituted investigations into the scandal.
However lawyers for some of the lower court judges under the judicial council investigation have filed a writ at the High Court saying the enquiry has no basis in law.
Anas’ exposé also implicates 12 high court judges. They have until today, Monday September 14 to submit their written responses to bribery allegations against them. The Chief Justice will then examine their responses before deciding whether to open a formal investigation into the accusations, in which case, they would also be suspended.
Meanwhile the High Court Judges who have been named in the bribery scandal are expected in court to prevent the broadcast of a video that claims to record their corrupt activities.
Part of 22 lower court judges suspended in the wake of the exposé intend to place an injunction on a public screening of the video, slated for September 22 and 23 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The judges, insiders say, will be asking the court to make it illegal for anyone to show the video on all broadcast platforms, including TV stations, the internet and on social media, such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Whatsapp.
By: Kasapafmonline.com/Ghana
