Pratt charges CJ: Investigate all leaked tapes

Editor-In-Chief of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has called on Chief Justice, Theodora Wood, to probe into all leaked tape recordings containing the voices of political figures who have leveled allegations against the Supreme Court Judges.

Speaking on Radio Gold's "Alhaji and Alhaji" on Saturday, Kwesi Pratt implored the Chief Justice (CJ) to expand the mandate of the eight-member Committee tasked to investigate the allegations raised by the sacked Deputy Communication Minister, Ms. Victoria Hammah, against the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur.

The Committee chaired by Dr. Justice F.K Date-Baah, a Justice of the Supreme Court, is to submit a report to the Judicial Council, fourteen days after its sitting regarding Ms. Hammah's revelations that Nana Oye Lithur met some Judges ahead of the landmark election petition verdict.

The beleaguered former Deputy Minister's claim became the buzz in town when a leaked recording, in which she was heard alluding to the possibility that Nana Oye induced some of the Judges on the 2012 election petition panel to rule in favour of President John Mahama, went viral.

Though Nana Oye Lithur has since denied the claim, the Chief Justice however set up the Committee in response to NPP's petition following the leaked tape recording.

But whiles commending the CJ for setting up a committee to look into the allegations, Mr. Pratt however believes what is good for the gander should equally be good for the goose and therefore, asked the Chief Justice to look into all other tapes which pertain to the conduct of the Supreme Court Judges.

“In the interest of fairness and justice, if you find it necessary to investigate this tape, we must investigate all tapes like this one. The Committee’s mandate would have to be expanded so that we investigate all tapes like this one.”

“If this is the way we want to go, then let’s clear all possible doubts about all tapes. First of all, we want to find out if those tapes are truly authentic. Is that the voice of Victoria Hammah? Was that the voice of Atta Akyea? Was that the voice of my brother and friend, Samuel Awuku and so on?

“Now, if those were their voices, were they speaking the truth? And if they were speaking the truth, what are the consequences for the nation, for the Judiciary and for the individuals involved?" Mr. Pratt rhetorically asked.