Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has denied a request by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to remove the judge handling the case of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resouces, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
This was revealed by the OSP on Wednesday, October 25.
“By a letter dated 25 October 2023, the Judicial Secretary informed The Special Prosecutor that, the Chief Justice is unable to accede to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) request for his lordship Justice Edward Twum to be recused and removed from all cases involving the OSP pending before him,” the OSP tweeted.
Public Notice
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By a letter dated 25 October 2023, the Judicial Secretary informed The Special Prosecutor that, the Chief Justice is unable to accede to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) request for his lordship Justice Edward Twum to be recused and removed from…— Office of the Special Prosecutor-Ghana (@ospghana) October 25, 2023
Justice Edward Twum had previously ordered the OSP to release cash seized from the residence of the former Minister.
The OSP complied but on the same day seized the money once again and issued a fresh freezing order. Prosecutors then filed fresh court processes asking the High Court to confirm this new seizure and freeze order. This case was to be originally heard on October 18 but Madam Dapaah urged the court to have an expedited hearing explaining she was being subjected to embarrassment and hardship. This request was granted by Justice Twum as he adjourned proceedings to October 12.
Justice Twum on October 12 announced he had received a letter indicating that the OSP wants a new judge to handle the case. This did not sit well with lawyers for the former minister who registered their displeasure. Lead counsel Victoria Barth pointed out that the OSP did not even have the courtesy to show up in court. She further described the request as ill fated geared at frustrating Madam Dapaah.
“We see it as a deliberate ploy to frustrate this morning’s hearing and a desperate attempt to avoid his own ill-fated application and there shall be a day of reckoning. He says he’s the conscience of the nation he should, he should be above this”
The former minister has also been slapped with the charge of failing to comply with the lawful demand of an authorised office.
The OSP has also made the same request to the Chief Justice. Ms Barth was once again not impressed. She added that her client was not even properly made aware of this case.
“This charge sheet, save from being casually handed to the accused persons by persons suspected to be from the OSP, was not properly served. Didn’t have summons or a return date,” she stated.
It’s unclear which specific issue concerns the OSP was raising against the Judge but 3 news sources believed it primarily had to do with the initial position taken by the judge not to confirm the freezing order.