Perceived corruption in judiciary..

...A-G says no to investigations

The issue of corruption in the Judiciary has again resurfaced and Parliament is torn between whether to institute investigation into the perceived corruption in the service or not.

On Tuesday June 11, 2002,, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Peter Ala Adjetey ruled that, due to the views held by some Members from both side of the House on the subject, there was the need for the Parliamentary Judiciary Committee to investigate the allegation.

But the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and also the MP for Abuakwa, Nana Akufo Addo and the Majority Leader and MP for Sekondi Papa Owusu Ankomah thought either wise.

They pointed out from the House?s standing order number 93(5) that ?the conduct of Mr. Speaker, Members, the Chief Justice and Judges of the superior Courts of Judicature shall not be raised, except upon a substantive motion, and in any amendments, question to a Member or remarks in a debate on a motion dealing with any other subject, any reference to the conduct of the persons mentioned shall be our of order?.

They said, it is inappropriate for the House to investigate perceived allegations of the judiciary and on mere statement made in the floor of the House without taking in concentration order 93(5).

Nana Akufo Addo further explained that as an arm of government, Parliament must be circumspect in dealing with the Judiciary rather than trying to ridicule it.

The Speaker who was not pleased with the interjection reminded the House that there is nothing the House cannot talk about. Besides the House has on several occasions acted on statements to set up committees to investigate.

He warned that if the House is deciding other wise that such a convention should no longer be used, he is prepared to rescind his decision but no one should blame him at a future date.

This bone of contention arose when the MP for Ho West, Hon. Francis Agbotse called on the speaker and the House to invoke its investigative powers to delve into perceived allegations of corruption in the Judiciary.

In a statement on the floor of the House, the MP claimed that of late, there has been public outcry on perceived corruption in the Judiciary and this is given the service a poor and negative image.

But readers can recalled that in its May 30, 2002, issue, number 40, the Insight? published in its front page ?Fordjour paid ?78m Twice? along side the ?Judicial Service is rotten?. In the publication it was spelt out how corrupt the Judicial Service was.

Hon. Agbotse further claimed that apart from Mr. Kofi Wayo who was bold to confess on a radio programme that his opponent in a case was seen given a goat to the judge that was supposed to sit on the case at his house, the rest is ?wobe, wobe?, Akee ? Akee? and hear say.

He pointed out that even though the Judicial Service itself is aware of corruption within itself, those who are loudest in their condemnation has failed to provide the evidence necessary to get to the root of the allegations.

The MP warned that the Zero-tolerance for corruption slogan of the President would be empty and meaningless if concrete steps are not taken to stamp out the canker in the society especially in the Judicial service.

He added that corruption in the courts has the highest potential of scaring away investors.

Where as the Hon. E.A. Agyepong MP for Abetifi contended that the House could not invoke its investigative powers on mere allegations, Hon. Isaac Amoo MP for Ayawaso West ? Wuogon was of the view that the time was long over-due for Parliament to take immediate steps to purge the Judicial Service of corruption.

He said it is disheartening the way files are sometimes lost at the desk of clerks when such cases are called.

Dr. Kwebena Adjei, MP for Biakoye dismissed the argument that Hon. Agbotse?s statement was a mere one and need not attention.

He pointed out that governments have always pinned corruption to its opponents as if they are angels. He stressed that the nepotism, favoritism and tribalism that is going on is even worse than the monetary gains.

Hon. Victor Gbeho and Hon. M.A., Seidu of Anglo and Wa Central took a solemn approach to the issue.

Where as Hon. Gbeho suggested the need for workers to be given a living wage to reflect the economic condition as well as the teaching of moral education in schools and churches, Hon. M.A. Seidu posited that the populace need to be educated to understand the work of the Judiciary so that they the populace would stop the habit of giving.

He reiterated that the Judiciary need to be remunerated enough to make corruption a disincentive to the judges.