Judicial bribery scandal: CJ sets up 5-member disciplinary committee

The Chief Justice has constituted a five-member disciplinary committee headed by a Supreme Court judge to delve into the matters of the damming video evidence detailing bribery in the Judicial Service.

The committee is to also look out for other court officials and clerks who may have collaborated in the bribery scandal.

A statement signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong, on Wednesday said the Judicial Council had placed 12 High Court judges under investigation, while 22 others from the circuit and magistrate courts had also been suspended effective September 10, 2015.

Her Ladyship the Chief Justice has also written to the 22 lower court judges with a deadline to respond to the allegations by September 9. Until a final determination on the case is made, the 22 judges remain suspended, the statement said.

The Judicial Council’s statement was released on Wednesday after a crucial meeting that considered measures to be taken against the judges named in a petition presented by the investigator, Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

Anas sent two petitions, one dated August 31, 2015 to the President of Ghana, and another dated September 2, 2015 to the Chief Justice.

The award-winning investigative journalist in accordance with Article 146 asked the President to initiate impeachment proceedings against the High Court judges he said took bribes to pervert justice.

The officials are captured in videos ostensibly taking money from litigants. Some of the culprits have also been linked to sex scandals in a three-hour edited video emanating from a two-year investigation into corrupt practices in the Judicial Service by Anas.

Some of the judges under investigation have been named as John Ajet-Nasam, Charles Quist (Fast Track), Kofi Essel Mensah (Human Rights), Paul Uuter Dery (Human Rights) and Mustapha Habib Logoh. They are all High Court judges.

Some of the famous cases they have handled are:  Ajet-Nasam - the criminal aspect of the famous Woyome case.

Ajet-Nasam is said to have tendered in his resignation letter upon learning about the findings of Anas' investigations but the resignation has been rejected, Graphic Online has gathered.

Justice Quist handled the Asamoah Boateng and Tagor cases while Logoh on his part handled the recent Johnson Kombian case and the famous Issa Mobila case.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has granted immunity from prosecution and any civil action to Anas.

The grant of immunity to Anas is per Section 19 of the Whistle-blowers’ Act (Act 720), Graphic Online has gathered.

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Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh Tel: +233 20 816 5632