Judicial Corruption: Judge sues CJ for "unlawful" dismissal

A Magistrate Court judge indicted in the judicial corruption scandal has sued the Chief Justice (CJ), Georgina Theodora Wood, for dismissing him from the service.

Mr Stephen Asuure, who joined the Attorney General to the suit, is praying the High Court to reverse the decision of the CJ to remove him from office without benefits.

Mr Asuure was dismissed from the service on December 7, 2015 following an investigation by Anas Aremeyaw Anas who captured some 32 judges allegedly taking bribes to influence justice.

He was accused of receiving an amount of GH¢500 in a matter titled Republic Vrs Abubakar S. Adam & Ors to allegedly lure him to be lenient on the accused persons; an allegation he has rejected.

A committee was subsequently formed by the Chief Justice to investigate the conduct of the judges in question, leading to the dismissal of the culprits following the recommendations of the disciplinary committee.

In his writ, Mr Asuure argued that his removal from office as a Magistrate was not only procedurally wrong but was also in violation of his fundamental human rights.

He also stated that the disciplinary committee “prevented me from calling witnesses to corroborate my denial of the allegations against me…contrary to provisions of article 19 (2)(c) and (e) of the Constitution, 1992 as well as Regulation 40 (1) of L.I. 319.”