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Thu, 31 Mar 2011 Politics

David Annan: The Judiciary needs to be cleaned

By myjoyonline
David Annan, a member of NDC's legal teamDavid Annan, a member of NDC's legal team
31 MAR 2011 LISTEN

A member of the legal team of the NDC David Annan has reiterated the call by party Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei, that the government must clean the Judiciary of all politically biased judges and corrupt practices if the Chief Justice fails to do so.

According to him, “it is very irritating and annoying that we constantly have to come and speak to this issue about bad judgement. It is one that we have stated before and this is where our Chairman said that we need to clean the judiciary”.

His comments were in reaction to the Fast Track High Court ruling which acquitted and discharged the 15 Abudus charged with the murder of the late overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II.

Speaking on Asempa FM'sEkosii Sen programme Wednesday, David Annan explained that the judgement by Justice E. K. Ayebi reinforces the NDC's belief that the justice system in the country is not the best.

He said the integrity of judges is at stake and that “until and unless this is closely examined by the Executive and by the Judiciary themselves, there is always going to be complaints and allegations of dissatisfaction, allegations of bias and allegations of corruption against the Chief Justice”.

David Annan claimed that the trial judge, Justice E.K. Ayebi deliberately truncated the trial by using the WUAKU Commission's report regardless of a ruling by Justice Marfo that “we should not use reports of Commissions of Inquiries in matters before court in the Ghana @5O trail”.

He noted that even though the witnesses in the Ya-Na trial had refuted their account at the WUAKU Commission report, Justice Ayebi said the witnesses had contradicted themselves by giving different testimonies and proceeded to rule on the basis of the so-called contradiction.

He wondered why the New Patriotic Party said they have been vindicated adding that “If the NPP are sitting there and acting as if a Daniel has come to justice; that Jesus Christ himself has descended from heavens and given an infallible judgement which cannot be touched; they are sorry mistaken”.

Mr Annan also urged the Attorney General Martin Amidu to be more combative over the selection of judges.

Story by: Adwoa Gyasiwaa/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

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