GBA remembers three murdered judges

A solemn remembrance service was conducted in Accra for the three High Court judges who were abducted from their homes and killed 30 years ago.

Mr. Justice Fred Poku Sarkodie, Mrs Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Mr. Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong were murdered together with Major Sam Acquah, a retired army officer.


The service, which was organised by the Ghana Bar Association in collaboration with the Judicial Service at the weekend was witnessed by some former Ministers of State, past presidents of the Ghana Bar Association, retired judges and few practicing judges and lawyers.


In his sermon, Reverend Doctor J.O.Y Mante, President of the Trinity Theological Seminary, noted that sin, demonic influence, bad economic leadership and laziness in the judiciary system are some of the factors that beleaguered the country’s progress.


Other factors include bad politicking, use of intemperate language, bad judgment debt and procedural negligence.


Rev. Mante charged Ghanaians to move away from political trivialities, adding that God had no time for countries that wasted their precious time on negativities.

“Ghana should rise from its moral and economic disgrace and walk,” he added.


Former Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Kwabena Agyepong at the end of the ceremony, underscored the significance of the memorial service.


Speaking to journalists, he praised Ghanaians for having put the painful past behind them as well as contributing towards deepening the democratic process.


Mr. Agyepong cautioned that collective security not that of individuals should be prioritised.


On June 30, 1982, the three High Court judges and a retired army officer were reported to have been abducted during the curfew hours.

Later it was revealed they had been brutally murdered at the Bundase Military Range in Accra, with their bodies reportedly doused with petrol and set ablaze.


The act was said to have brought swift widespread and open condemnation by the citizenry with most of them demanding thorough investigation and necessary punishment.


This strong public pressure prompted the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) to appoint a Special Investigation Board with Late Justice Samuel Azu Crabbe, a former Chief of Justice, to serve as the Board’s chairman to investigate the murders.


The Board made a number of findings leading to the prosecution of Joachim Amartey Kwei, a member of the PNDC, Lance Corporal Samuel Amedeka, Samuel Michael Senyah, Johnny Dzandu and one Tekpor who were soldiers. The four were later executed.**