The President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo has referred a petition demanding the impeachment of Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for action.
The petition by former Minister of Justice and Ghana’s first Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, cites procurement breaches in the purchase of vehicles for the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
He accuses Mr. Agyebeng of misconduct involving judges and the administration of justice. He argues that the recent press conference held by the OSP to complain about judges constitutes abuse of judges and brings the judiciary into disrepute.
Martin Amidu’s petition, also claims by arresting individuals such as Cecilia Dapaah and Prof. Frimpong Boateng, the Special Prosecutor abused their rights.
He is alleging violations of citizens’ rights through arrests and detentions, breaches of the right to information, and improper appointments of personnel to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
My xyzonline.com sources indicate the President forwarded the petition dated April 30, 2024, to the Chief Justice on May 6, 2024.
The Chief Justice is expected, in accordance with Article 146, to decide if there is a prima facie case to establish a committee for Mr. Agyabeng’s impeachment.
The Supreme Court has, by a majority 6-1 decision, declared the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 2000 (ACT 581), which prohibits a person with dual citizenship from becoming a Chief Justice, unconstitutional.
The apex Court’s judgement also applies to the positions of Commissioner of Value Added Tax Service, Director-General, Prisons Service, Chief Fire Officer, Chief Director of a Ministry or a rank of Colonel in the Army, or other security services.
The 6-1 majority decision effectively nullified the said sections for being inconsistent with Article 289(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Supreme Court held as unconstitutional sections 16(2)(a) and 16(2)(h)-(l) of the Citizenship Act 2000 (Act 591).
It said the sections breached Article 289(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which states that the constitution shall not be amended or altered by an Act of Parliament.
On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Apex court, in its judgment, nullified the said sections of the Citizenship Act in the case titled ‘Francis Osei-Bonsu v The Attorney General, whose suit is numbered J1/16/2023.
The Plaintiff, through his lawyer Bright Okyere-Adjekum Esq., was of the view that the said sections now nullified by the Supreme Court impliedly amended the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and thus injured Article 289(2) of the Constitution.
The effect of the decision is that persons who are dual citizens contrary to the dictates of section 16 of the Citizenship Act can now be appointed to positions or offices.
They include;
1. Chief Justice,
2. Commissioner of the Value Added Tax Service;
3. Director-General of the Prisons Service, the Chief Fire Officer,
4. a Chief Director of a Ministry the rank of a Colonel in the Army or its equivalent in the other security services.
Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has presented a dummy cheque for GHC125,000 to victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage at a ceremony in Accra.
The Chief Justice presented the cheque on behalf of the Judiciary and Staff of the Judicial Service of Ghana (JUSAG).
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief Justice said the donation was realized through the various contributions from the JUSAG and the Judiciary.
Justice Torkornoo said JUSAG, and the Judiciary were moved by the plight of the victims after the spillage adding she was elated that no lives were lost despite the destruction of various properties.
Justice Torkornoo said JUSAG, and the Judiciary were moved by the plight of the victims after the spillage adding she was elated that no lives were lost despite the destruction of various properties.
According to her, the donation should be used in purchasing materials to put up places for the victims.
She was optimistic that the various courts that were shut down because of the spillage would be reopened so that people would be able to access justice when it comes to issues of letter of administration, adoption, among others.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, on behalf of the Chiefs and Queen mothers of the three traditional areas said over 12,600 people were displaced as a result of the spillage and so far, 21 displaced camps have been set up.
Mr Ablakwa acknowledged that donations from Ghanaians had lessened the plight of the victims, and he was surprised by the kind gesture of the Chief Justice and the Judiciary and JUSAG for their contributions.
“We are indeed surprised by the donation from the Chief Justice and the Judiciary. We now know that justice is not only contained in your judgements, but your judgements also contain mercy and kindness.
When the news of receiving the donation gets to our people, they would be joyous over the acts of our jurists and eminent judges.
“In fact, this is the happiest day ever since the disaster struck.”
Togbega Patamia Dzekley VII, Paramount Chief of Battor Traditional Area and Vice President of Volta Regional House of Chiefs expressed his appreciation to Judiciary for the gesture.
“You have delivered natural justice that cannot be reviewed by anyone. We are overwhelmed by your generosity,” Togbega Dzekley added.
Present at the ceremony are Chiefs, Queen mothers and elders of the Mepe, Dorfor and Battor Traditional Areas, Justice Cyra Cynthia P.A.
Koranteng, Judicial Secretary, Justice J. Bartels- Cudjoe, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and chairperson of the Committee which solicited for funds from JUSAG and the Judiciary, other Justices of the High Courts.
Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo acting on a decision by the Judicial Council has dismissed the Circuit Court for Jasikan, Alfred Kwabena Asiedu.
Myxyzonline has chanced on his dismissal letter dated 13th November, 2023 in which the Chief Justice clearly stated the decision by a Disciplinary Committee, whose report established abuse of power, malicious prosecution and impropriety by Justice Alfred Asiedu.
It said the Judicial Council, upon review of the findings at a meeting held on 25th October, 2023, agreed his conduct constituted misbehaviour, in the case involving one Singari Daina Sadia and subsequently resolved unanimously to dismiss him, (Justice Alfred Kwabena Asiedu), from office as a Circuit Court Judge with immediate effect, in line with Article 151(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
He is to hand over all official properties including official vehicle, records and docket books to the Judicial Secretary.
Find attached the dismissal letter
Source: Ghanaweb
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