PAC scrutinises accounts of Judicial Service in camera

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Thursday held an in-camera sitting with the Judicial Secretary, Mr Justice Alex Poku-Acheampong and his lieutenants from the Judicial Service.

The Judicial Secretary and his team were at the sitting to answer questions on queries raised in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Auditor General's reports related to the service.

The in-camera sitting meant it was closed to the media and other members of society.

The in-camera sitting is allowed by the standing orders of Parliament when dealing with important and sensitive national issues that border on national security and separation of powers.

Failure to record deposits

Parts of the 2013 Auditor General's Report on the Judicial Service cited by the Daily Graphic named five courts for failing to record deposit payments of GH¢1,909,767, £4000 and $206,504 into the appropriate cash books.

The report indicated that between January and December 2012, a total amount of GH¢1,909,767, £4000 and $206,504 which were paid to various beneficiaries upon the orders of the courts were not recorded in the payment cash books of Land/Financial Court, 28th February Road Court, Accra High Court and Adjabeng District Court in Accra.

According to the report, the failure to record the deposit payments was in contravention of the financial administration rules which required public officers to keep proper records of all financial transactions.

Motor Court

The report cited the HFC Bank for failing to credit the accounts of the Motor Court with a total revenue of GH¢33,174.

It said revenue collected and entered in the cash book totalled GH¢303,178, while the bank statement entries stood at GH¢270,003.

The report, therefore, recommended that the HFC Bank be called upon to credit the court’s accounts with the outstanding amount without further delay.