Ghana: 20 judges sacked over corruption scandal

By Umaru Sanda Amadu

ACCRA, Ghana

Ghana's Judicial Council has sacked 20 lower court judges after they were secretly filmed by an investigative journalist collecting bribes to ostensibly manipulate their rulings.

The affected judges include magistrates and circuit court judges who were investigated by a special committee set up by Chief Justice Georgina Wood.

“Council has deliberated on the findings and recommendations of the committee and taken the appropriate decisions in respect of each of the circuit court judges or district court magistrates in accordance with Article 151 of the constitution", Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex Poku Acheampong said late Monday at a press conference in Accra.

All but four of the sacked judges will receive their end of service benefits as entitled by law.

“Those removed with benefits were remorseful when they appeared before the committee and apologized profusely to the people of Ghana and the judiciary for bringing the name of the institution into disrepute by their conduct,” the judicial secretary revealed.

The sacked judges are part of over 100 judicial staff captured in secret video recordings by Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The investigation which spanned two years also implicated 12 High Court judges who are currently under suspension pending findings of investigations. Others are challenging the cases in court.

By Umaru Sanda Amadu

ACCRA, Ghana

Ghana's Judicial Council has sacked 20 lower court judges after they were secretly filmed by an investigative journalist collecting bribes to ostensibly manipulate their rulings.

The affected judges include magistrates and circuit court judges who were investigated by a special committee set up by Chief Justice Georgina Wood.

All but four of the sacked judges will receive their end of service benefits as entitled by law.

The sacked judges are part of over 100 judicial staff captured in secret video recordings by Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The investigation which spanned two years also implicated 12 High Court judges who are currently under suspension pending findings of investigations. Others are challenging the cases in court.