Judicial Service to deal with corrupt staff — Chief Justice warns
The Chief Justice (CJ), Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, has decried the level of corruption among some court staff, which she said tended to undermine the integrity of justice delivered by judges in the country.
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She said, “The greatest tragedy of it all is that some of us have now graduated into falsifying court proceedings so that hardened criminals who have been justifiably sentenced to imprisonment by honest and hardworking judges would unlawfully gain their freedom.” She asked: “Where are we now heading to?
The CJ’s sentiments were contained in a speech read on her behalf by Mr Justice Dennis Adjei, an Appeal Court Judge, at the Chief Justice’s Forum held in Tamale on the theme: “Integrity: The Key to Effective Justice Delivery.”
The forum, attended by judges and court staff drawn from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions, discussed integrity and the unique role the general public could play in monitoring the activities of the Judiciary and report any problems through the appropriate and approved systems.
Petitions
Mrs Wood said the Judicial Service continued to receive petitions on the adverse conduct of some of the court officials, adding that the Judicial Council had taken such complaints seriously.
She said in all those instances, offending staff had been sanctioned in accordance with laid-down rules and procedures, and warned that “we will neither shirk our responsibility nor grow weary of enforcing the decisions of the Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Council, to purge the service of such bad lots.”
The CJ recognised the great sacrifices some of the court officials had made over the years, in spite of the unattractive service conditions.
She urged the Judicial staff not to lose hope as the Judicial Council continued to work to bring about the needed changes.
Set good examples
Mrs Wood urged registrars of the courts who worked directly and closely with other court officials to set good examples, and advised them to let sincerity and integrity be their watchword to help enhance public confidence in the Judiciary.
Reverend Professor Seth Ayettey, a member of the Judicial Council, urged the court officials to offer their best to preserve the integrity of the Judiciary, which was key in the administration of justice, and upholding of the constitution.
Mrs Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, a Justice of the Appeal Court, urged all court officials to exhibit personal integrity in the discharge of their duties to ensure that justice was delivered at all times.
Mrs Justice Torkonoo cited various instances and acts of corruption, incompetence and biases among court officials, which she said affected justice delivery, and urged them to desist from such acts.
