Following a petition received from pressure group, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), President Akufo-Addo has initiated steps to determine whether Chief Justice Anin Yeboah should remain in office or not.
Chief Justice Anin Yeboah has been the subject of a $5 million bribe allegation after he was fingered by a Kumasi-based lawyer, Kwasi Afrifa who was making an official response to a disciplinary complaint filed against him by a former client, one Ogyeedom Obranu Kwesi Atta VI.
Kwasi Afrifa claimed in his response that his former client, Ogyeedom had told him that he was going to bribe the Chief Justice with an amount of $5million in order to attain a favorable judgment.
However, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah has denied the allegations and has referred the matter to the CID for investigations.
ASEPA contends the CJ is unfit to hold office and wants him removed.
Under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s constitution, the President upon receipt of such a petition must act in consultation with the Council of State to appoint a committee consisting of two Justices of the Supreme Court and three other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor Members of Parliament, nor lawyers to inquire into the petition and make a recommendation.
A letter written to the Executive Director of ASEPA by Secretary to the President Nana Bediatuo Asante indicates that the President has commenced the appropriate processes.
Under the constitutional procedure, the proceedings of the committee shall be held in camera with the Chief Justice offered an opportunity to defend himself or do so through a lawyer or any expert of his choice.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com