A
High Court judge, His Lordship Justice Asmah Akwasi Asiedu who was
implicated in a bribery scandal has been set free by the Chief Justice.
He
was cleared after the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Wood dismissed a
petition brought by Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his investigative team, Tiger
Eye PI.
The Hon. Lady Chief Justice has dismissed the Bribery Allegation petition by tigereyepi against Justice Asmah Akwasi Asiedu.
According to a statement released by the Judicial Secretary, Alex B. Poku-Acheampong,
"This
is because the evidence provided by the tigereyepi in support of the
allegations against the said judge is not sufficient to meet the Prima
Facie test either in relation to the allegaion of bribery or ex-parte
communication between the judge and the Petitioner on a judicial matter
pending before him, contrary to the Code of Conduct for judges and
Magistrates of Ghana (CCJMG)".
It continued that, "Justice
Asmah Akwasi Asiedu was elevated to the High Court on April 1, this
year. This was at a time when the appointing authorities were not privy
to the alleged acts of misconduct or wrongdoing brought against him and
21 Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates who have been referred to the
Chief Justice to be dealt with in accordance with Article 151 of the
1992 Constitution by tigereyepi for alleged stated misbehaviour".
"In
view of his position as a High Court Judge, the petition against him
was subsequently forwarded to His Excellency the President in accordance
with article 146 of the 1992 Constitution since articles 148 and 151
were longer applicable to him following his elevation.
"His
Excellency the President, in a letter dated 23rd September, 2015,
requested the Chief Justice to handle the petition under article 146 and
determine whwther or not there was a Prima Facie case against His
Lordship Justice Asmah Akwasi Asiedu as per article 146 (3).
"The
Chief Justice upon her determination concluded that the evidence
provided by tigereyepi in support of the allegation against Justice
Asmah Akwasi Asiedu is inadequate and so fails to meet the
constitutional Prima Facie threshold".
The Chief Justice says allegations brought by the Private Investigations company were insufficient.
Tiger
Eye P.I had alleged that the High COurt judge was involved in bribery
and also engaged in forbibben communications between a judge and a party
to a court case. |
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SECOND INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE
Meanwhile, in order to expedite
investigations into the alleged stated misconduct by the High Court
Court Judges, the Chief Justice in accordance with a decision of the
Judicial Council has constituted a second Committee to investigate the
matter against three of the Judges in line with article 146 (4).
The
five-member Committee comprises a Justice of the Supreme Court who is
the Chairperson with two Justices of the Court of Appeal appointed by
the Judicial Council and Two other persons appointed on the advice of
the Council of State, who are neither members of Council of State, nor
members of Parliament, nor lawyers.
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