Ghana’s chief justice submits to police over $5m bribery claim

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Ghana’s chief justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has petitioned the police to probe a US$5 million bribe allegation against him in a bid to influence a court case.

Justice Yeboah has publicly denied the allegations, asking the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP), Isaac Ken Yeboah, to launch criminal investigations into the matter.

“His Lordship the Chief Justice is saddened that without any shred of evidence, his name has been dragged into this sordid and potentially criminal matter.

“His Lordship further asserts that he has not demanded or received any money from any person to influence any decision”, the petition signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, said.

The said allegations were contained in a response of Lawyer Akwasi Afrifa against a petition filed against him by his client at the disciplinary committee of the General Legal Council (GLC).

The client – Ogyeedom Obranu Kwesi Atta IV, dragged Lawyer Afrifa to the GLC alleging that Lawyer Afrifa collected US$100,000, with a promise to help get a favourable judgement on his behalf.

Ogyeedom Atta IV is asking the GLC to order Lawyer Afrifa to refund the US$100,000 because according to him, Lawyer Afrifa failed to use the money for its intended purpose.

In a response dated July 8, Lawyer Afrifa denied the claims by Ogyeedom Kwesi Atta IV.

According to him, the petitioner (Ogyeedom) told him (Lawyer Afrifa) to refund a GH¢300,000 legal fees paid to him to allegedly enable him (Ogyeedom) raise a US$5 million bribe to be paid to the Chief Justice to get a favourable decision in a pending legal dispute.

Chief Justice response

However, the Chief Justice has categorically denied the allegations contained in the response of Lawyer Afrifa.

According to the Chief Justice, he had had no personal interactions with Ogyeedom Kwesi Atta IV.

“His Lordship the Chief Justice confirms that he does not know the plaintiff and has not met or seen him anywhere, except in the courtroom where he rises to announce his name when his case is called.

“Indeed, the records show that the plaintiff unsuccessfully petitioned for the recusal of His Lordship the Chief Justice and His Lordship Justice Victor Jones Mawulorm Dotse from the matter.

“Also the Chief Justice said the records of the case would show that he (Chief Justice) was the only judge who dissented in an application by Ogyeedom Atta IV with regard the the case before the apex court.

“His Lordship is available to assist with all investigations into this matter, while he considers his own civil legal options to ensure that this matter is dealt to its logical conclusions,” the petition to the CID added.

Source: Daily Mail GH