Circuit Court Judge Alfred Kwabena Asiedu has been sacked from the Judicial Service for having an inappropriate relationship with a woman who filed a divorce case in his court.
A letter written by the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo indicates that a disciplinary committee found that the judge had misconducted himself.
“I write with reference to the petition of abuse of power, sexual exploitation, malicious prosecution and impropriety against you, received from one Singari Diana Sadia, dated
16th January 2023.
“…that you were involved in an improper relationship with the petitioner who had a divorce case pending before you. The Disciplinary Committee also established the allegation of abuse of power and malicious prosecution against you as you were found to have caused the arrest and prosecution of the petitioner without justification” the Chief Justice states in a letter written to the judge.
She continued, “In line with the Disciplinary’ Procedures of the Service, you were invited to appear before the Disciplinary Commnittee of the Judicial Council, which had been mandated to investigate the allegations against you.
“The Disciplinary Committee, after investigating the above-mentioned matter, found that you misconducted yourself as a Judge as there was ample evidence that you were involved in an improper relationship with the Petitioner, who had a Divorce case pending before you,” the Chief Justice stated in her letter.
She further stated that, “the Disciplinary Committee also estabiished the allegation of abuse of power and malicious prosecution against you as you were found to have caused the arrest and prosecution of the Petitioner without justification.
“The Committee consequently recommended that you should be dismissed.
“The report of the Disciplinary Committee was subsequently submitted to the Judicial Council at its 279th meeting held on 25th October 2023: the Council adopted the report of the Disciplinary Committee and decided that your above-stated actions constituted Stated Misbehaviour.”
According to Madam Torkornoo, “in accordance with article 151 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, all members of the Judicial Council present at the said meeting, resolved that you should be removed from office for Stated Misbehaviour.
“You are therefore removed from Office as a Circuit Court Judge, with immediate effect.”
The judge, has as a result, been directed to hand over all official properties in his possession including; official vehicle, dockets and record books to the judicial secretary.
Chief Justice, Getrude Torkonoo has further directed the Director of Human Resource of the Judicial Service to ensure that his name is deleted from the payroll.