Leadership of state attorneys clash over Anas video

The National President of the Association of State Attorneys, Lawyer Francisca Tetteh-Mensah has said that the Association disassociate itself from some comments their General Secretary, Mr. Charles Wiscos Ofori made on the Anas expose on an alleged involvement in corrupt practices by some 34 judges on Joy Fm.

The President told Accra/London based Rainbow Radio that the submission made on the said station do not reflect that of the State Attorneys Association, rather it is his personal (Mr. Charles Wiscos Ofori) submission that he made.

Lawyer Tetteh-Mensah posited that as a prosecutor, it would be legally wrong to make any premature statement or comment on the matter because the issue is only a rumour by the definition of law, and, therefore, she as a lawyer would not want to comment on the matter until she sees the content in question.

She explained that under court proceedings, evidence comes in many forms including documentary evidence, that the one alleging must be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that indeed the content can stand as evidence to prosecute the accused.

The State lawyer told the host of the breakfast show Kwame Tutu that, as State Attorneys, they have not seen the content of the video or heard the audio and therefore it was improper for their General Secretary to have called for the prosecution of the alleged judges in the Anas expose.

Whiles she commended the Judicial Council for the suspension of the 22 judges which she explained would help to fast-track investigations, she also called on the media to be circumspect in the way they handle the matter.

Lawyer Francisca Tetteh-Mensah also revealed that the judges if found culpable, may face some administrative punishment including demotion, fine or withdrawal from the service.

She said it lies in the bosom of the Chief Justice to outline punishment for the alleged corrupt judges and if it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that they are guilty, some may face jail terms from a minimum to a maximum sentence depending on the level of offence.

The lawyer again mentioned that by the constitution and the ethics of the judicial service, bribery, extortion and corruption are treated as criminal cases, but she was quick to add that, it would be immature to discuss deeper into the matter.