I’m not on suspension, I’m just on my leave - Justice Dery

Embattled high court judge Justice Paul Uuter Dery says it is “misinformation” for the public to think he has been suspended due to the exposé by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. “I am not on suspension,” he stressed.

According to the judge, who was captured in the video of the exposé, no prima facie case has been found against him.

“I am on administrative leave which I applied to enable me to use the legal process to clear my name and reputation which Anas Aremeyaw Anas has sought to tarnish.”

These were contained in a petition sent to the President of the Ghana Journalists’ Association (GJA) over the award of the PAV Ansah Journalist of the Year to Anas.

The beleaguered judge is petitioning the Association to withdraw the award as he claims it is prejudicial to his legal tussle with the awardee.

He has warned that failure on the part of GJA to withdraw the award will land it in court.

“I am therefore by this letter drawing your attention to the consequences of the Award GJA gave to Anas Aremeyaw Anas whilst I give you and the Honourable Association the opportunity to rectify a blatant wrong that has been inflicted on the whole of the Ghanaian public by the conferment of the said award.”

The Association has dismissed the petition, stressing it will not withdraw the award, a signal of an open showdown in court.

Justice Dery is one of the 12 high court judges cited in a petition Anas sent to President John Mahama over various cases of bribery against them.

While most of them were interdicted, a majority were subsequently sacked.