I don't take bribes - Tema Circuit Court Judge declares

Tema, March 29, GNA - Mrs Laurenda Owusu, Presiding Judge of the Tema Circuit Court 'A,' on Monday declared that she does not take money from accused persons in dispensing justice.

"I want all of you here to know that I don't take money from anybody jus= t to twist the hand of justice", she stated. Mrs Owusu added: "don't give money to anybody in my name as I have never=

collected or demanded money from anybody".

She made the declaration when Police Chief Inspector Adolphus Otchere, a=

prosecutor informed her that some complainants in a case before the court=

have accused her of taken money to influence judgment. Mrs Owusu, therefore, warned the public, especially complainants and accused persons to desist from peddling lies about her, since she used he= r conscience in presiding over cases.

She said she granted bail to accused persons when her conscience told he= r to do so depending on the circumstances. The Circuit Court Judge further indicated that she refused to grant bail= if the law did not allow it. Mrs Owusu added that she would make sure that anybody, who peddled lies about her, was dealt with according to law.