Request to suspend Chief Justice premature - Presidency

The government has shot down as premature, a request to suspend Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah following allegations of bribery against him.

Nana Bediatuo Asante, Secretary to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a response to Mr. Mensah Thompson, Executive Director of Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), who petitioned for Justice Anin-Yeboah’s suspension ahead of a probe into the allegations, says any such action must follow due process.

According the President’s secretary, the President has in consultation with the Council of State, already set in motion the first step of establishing whether or not there is a prima facie case for the Chief Justice to answer.

“It is only when such a determination is made in the affirmative that the President will be required to proceed with appointing a committee, again in consultation with the Council of State, to inquire into the petition. As indicated in our letter, the President has commenced the consultation process, which according to the correct position of the law, begins with a prima facie determination.”

Kumasi-based legal practitioner Akwasi Afrifa in a response to a petition to the General Legal Council by a client of his who was demanding the refund of money he had allegedly given him (Afrifa), claimed the client had once told him the Chief Justice was demanding a $5 million bribe to rule a pending case in his favour.

The Chief Justice has denied making any such demands and has reported the matter to the Police CID for criminal investigation.

Bediatuo Asante also accuses Mensah Thompson of leaking confidential communication with the presidency over his petition onto social media and cautions him to desist from such acts or be liable to contempt of the Supreme Court.

Below is the letter from the presidency.