Chief Justice’s action on Muntaka’s bribery allegation apt – US-based lawyer

A United States-based Ghanaian lawyer, Professor Kwaku Asare, has commended the Chief Justice for taking steps to act on the bribery allegation against an unnamed Justice of the apex court.

A statement signed by Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, Judicial Secretary on Wednesday January 13 said the Chief Justice of Ghana, Anin Yeboah is taking steps to solicit the assistance of the Member of Parliament of Asawase Muntaka Mubarak to establish the facts following the allegation the lawmaker made against the Justice who he claimed attempted to bribe National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP to vote for Professor Mike Oquaye during the election of a speaker for the 8th parliament.

“The Judiciary has noted with grave concern the remarks of Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Hon Member of Parliament for Asawase, which have been widely published in the media alleging that a Justice of the Supreme Court attempted to bribe a female Member of Parliament to vote for Professors Mike Aaron Oquaye, in the election of a Speaker of the 8th Parliament, which took place on 7th January 2021.

“The general public is hereby assured that Hon Chief Justice considers this allegation of impropriety a matter of grave import to the integrity of the Judiciary.

“The Hon Chief Justice is therefore taking steps to solicit the assistance of Mohammed Muntaka MP, to establish the fact in order that the matter can be dealt with appropriately,” the statement said.

Mr Muntaka has alleged that a justice of the Supreme Court attempted to bribe NDC Members of Parliament to vote for Professor Mike Oquaye during the election of the Speaker for the 8th Parliament.

He told Joy News Sunday January 10 while discussing issues regarding the election of a speaker for the 8th Parliament that “There was one that was led by, I mean so shamefully, a Supreme Court judge [who] called a colleague lady, telling her what they will give her, she has children [and] they will take care of her children; she can take fuel from the filling station for the four years.”

He reiterated his allegation on Citi TV Monday January 11.

He said “The former Majority Leader, the Leader of Government business over the weekend was accusing the NDC’s side that we were bribing Members on their side.

“I said no, if you are talking about bribing then find out who and who were calling members from my side. And then, I went forward to say that I can tell you , if he cares to know, even some members of the Supreme Court were calling members of my side.

“One of the person that they called , they were promising her all manner of things , that she should mention her price. I don’t take what I say lightly, I have heard people saying all manner of things , we know what we are doing and we know what we are holding.”

When asked whether he will be able to adduce evidence to that effect, he said ““Definitely we will provide all those things , the call that he made, the time that the call was made and everything is there, so it is not in doubt.

“ If it comes to the probe of all the things that happened on that day I am sure if it becomes necessary and it comes up,. Obviously it will be made known , the Member on my side who was approached is alive , she is not dead.”

In a Facebook post, Professor Asare said on this matter that “The Judiciary must be commended for initiating investigations into the rather serious allegation that a Supreme Court Justice attempted to bribe an MP in the case of electing the Speaker of the 8th Parliament.

“This action is in line with our call for a thorough, independent investigation. No serious country allows such allegations to just hang out there.

“An investigation is a neutral exercise aimed at finding the truth, protecting the innocent, exposing the guilty and falsehoods and building trust in our institutions. It should be welcome by all.

“To add credibility to the investigation, I urge that the investigation should be done by an independent panel, similar to the Special Investigation Board set up to inquire into the murder of the 3 judges and the retired army officer.”

By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana