Corruption in Judicial System is endemic- Akuffo

Corruption has become so endemic in the country's judicial system that some lawyers have come to accept it and even factor in the amount of inducement they give to judges and court officials when determining how much to charge their clients, state daily The Ghanaian Times quotes Deputy Attorney and Minister of Justice, Ms Gloria Akuffo as saying.

She said this act of condoning should cease if lawyers and indeed the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) would command the moral authority to spearhead the fight against corruption.

She announced these at the just ended national conference of the Ghana Bar Association at Sunyani.

According to her, "a lot of lawyers accused judges and judiciary staff of being corrupt but we cannot deny that some of us have contributed to the problem and, therefore, also need to take a look at ourselves as we point accusing fingers at others".

The three-day conference had the theme "Corruption, the rule of law and administration of justice."

Miss Akuffo said lawyers should practise their profession with integrity to enable them to question societal ills.