Judicial corruption worst form of corruption – CJ

Chief Justice Georgina Wood has said “of all the various forms of corruption in our society, judicial corruption actually is the worst form.”

“Time again, I’ve heard people argue that if only law enforcement were to carry out their function effectively, corruption in other places will stop,” Justice Wood told judicial staff at a forum in the Volta region.

“If Ghana has to be saved, the people who should lead and support this fight is your good self and my good self: if you don’t hide a docket and pretend that the docket has somehow vanished from the surface of the earth…I tell you that things will take a different turn in this country,” Wood added.

Speaking about “integrity” being “the key to effective justice delivery,” Justice Wood said if judicial staff purged themselves of corrupt deeds, and allowed the law to take its course in all criminal and civil cases, and suspects consequently punished by law, then others will be afraid of committing similar crimes.

She bemoaned the increasing public perception on corruption within the judiciary as reported in the recent Afro barometer survey.

According to her, although 85 percent of respondents in that survey said corruption was pervasive among judges and magistrates, not all perceived corrupt activities within the judiciary are committed by judges or magistrates.

Mrs. Theodora Wood therefore underscored the need for judicial staff, as front line officers of the courts to discharge their duties with a high level of integrity.