Chief Justice under probe

Ghana's Chief Justice (CJ), Justice George Kingsley Acquah is to be investigated for alleged abuse of office following a petition presented by an Accra based legal practitioner, Bright Akwetey of (P)NDC fame to President Kufuor.

Accordingly, President Kufuor, acting under the powers granted him by the Constitution via article 146 (6) has reportedly directed the setting up of a Committee of Enquiry to probe the allegations.

According to the Crusading Guide newspaper, sources close to Mr Bright Akwetey, had formally petitioned the president on some decisions and actions taken by the CJ, which in his opinion amounted to abuse of office, and warranted a possible impeachment process against the CJ as required by the Constitution.

Unconfirmed information, according to the paper points to some decisions taken by the CJ who has been waging a campaign of anti-corruption since his assumption of office, against some judges and other judicial service personnel as the basis of concern of Mr Akwetey.

The paper's unofficial Castle sources say the president, upon receipt of Mr Akwetey's petition, directed the setting up of a committee to investigate the allegation.

Mr Akwetey is also reported to have written to the Speaker of Parliament and the Chairman of the Council of State on the same matter.

The members of the committee appointed to handle the probe include Justice Seth Twum of the Supreme Court, Justice Aninakwa, also of the Supreme Court, Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso, ex Dean of students, University of Ghana, Legon, Ms Mahama, a senior official of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and another lady whose identity the Crusading Guide could not authenticate.

“ The President is out to meet the challenges of the 1992 Constitution as far as such petitions and grievances are concerned. The Supremacy of the Constitution must be upheld and that is exactly what we are doing,” a senior Castle Staffer said.

A source close to the office of the CJ said the constitutionality of the action taken by the Executive was in line with the Chief Justice's own pro-active stance against corruption and abuse of office.

The source was confident that the CJ will be cleared of all the allegations and ultimately stand vindicated.