You misconducted yourself — Chief Justice to dismissed Jasikan Circuit Court Judge

A file photo

Mr. Alfred Kwabena Asiedu has been removed from his position as a Circuit Court Judge in Jasikan, the district capital of the Oti region, for misconduct involving an improper relationship with a petitioner in a divorce case before him.

According to a letter from Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo dated November 13 and sighted by this portal, the Judicial Council received a petition in January alleging abuse of power, sexual exploitation, malicious prosecution and impropriety against Judge Asiedu from one Singari Diana Sadia.

A Disciplinary Committee investigated the matter and "found ample evidence that [Judge Asiedu] was involved in an improper relationship with the petitioner, who had a divorce case pending before him."

It adds that the judge "was found to have caused the arrest and prosecution of the petitioner without justification."

The letter quotes the Disciplinary Committee as finding that Judge Asiedu "misconducted himself as a Judge" in this situation.

It recommended dismissal, which was adopted by the Judicial Council.

In accordance with the constitution, Judge Asiedu has been "removed from Office as a Circuit Court Judge, with immediate effect" for "Stated Misbehaviour," says the Chief Justice's letter.

He has also been directed to return all official properties and records. His name will be removed from the payroll, according to the letter.