Editorial by The Chronicle: Exposing those who undermine the judicial system is the way to go

It will be recalled that in September 2015, Anas Aremeyaw Anas premiered his undercover film, titled ‘Ghana In The Eyes Of God’, that exposed deep-rooted corruption in the country’s judiciary system.

The film exposed dozens of judges and other staff of the Judicial Services receiving bribes to pervert the course of justice. The exposé, which shocked the country, was the biggest corruption scandal to have hit the country’s judiciary. An investigation by the Service resulted in the suspension of some judges and dismissal of others.

Eight years on and it looks like some Ghanaians have still not learned any lessons from Anas’ exposé. A story in the Daily Graphic newspaper yesterday revealed that the Bolgatanga High Court Two, last Friday, convicted two persons, including a Chief, for attempting to influence the acting Supervising High Court Judge, Justice Alexander Graham.

According to the story, the two, who were convicted on their own pleas of guilty, are the Chief of Baare, Naab Nyakora Mantii, and the Secretary to the Paramountcy, Richard Sunday Yinbil.

“The events leading to their conviction were that, before the commencement of proceedings at the court last Friday, the two men sought permission from the court clerks to see the Judge in his chambers for a private conversation, which was duly granted.”

They then informed Justice Graham that they had been sent to invite him to be briefed properly, and to understand a number of mining-related cases from the area, which were pending before the court.

The Judge immediately realised that the action of the two persons was contemptuous, since there were many mining cases before the court for determination, and quickly walked out and ordered for their arrest. It is quite surprising that there are still people in the country who do not learn from mistakes that others did to land them in trouble.

The Judicial Service is obliged to administer justice freely and fairly and not to be influenced. It is disrespectful to try to influence the officers of the law. The Chronicle highly condemns this act. It is unacceptable and as such must not be encouraged.

The Chronicle applauds the Judge for the strong stance he took by not allowing himself to be influenced, and as such, we will urge other members of the Judicial Service to learn from this exemplary act. He must as well be rewarded to serve as motivation for other judges. If all judges learn from this, it will help to shore up public confidence in the judicial system.

The Chronicle would also use this medium to warn the public to desist from trying to corrupt judges in an attempt to get favorable outcomes in cases in court. The justice system must be seen to serve all manner of persons equally and fairly.