NEW CHIEF JUSTICE SLAPPED WITH PETITION OVER ASSET DECLARATION

Even before he is vetted into his new role, a petition has been activated against the new Chief Justice elect, Justice Anin Yeboah over what the petitioner claims is his failure to declare his assets.

Mensah Thompson, the Executive Director of the advocacy group called   Alliance For Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament and the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that Justice Anin Yeboah has refused to declare his assets as constitutionally mandated.

Mr. Thompson filed the petition as a private citizen.

According to the petitioner, any Parliamentary approval of Justice Anin Yeboah will go contrary to Article 286 of the 1992 constitution because he has allegedly not disclosed his assets and liabilities as required.

Mr Thompson argued that Justice Anin Yeboah, prior to his nomination as the Chief Justice, had been a Justice of the court of appeal and was required under the constitution to have declared his assets and liabilities.

“The basis of my petition is that I have filed a complaint against the nominee with the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) under article 286 of the 1992 constitution for non-disclosure of assets and liabilities. I have attached to this petition my letter to CHRAJ and the acknowledgement of receipt for your attention.”

“The approval has been a Justice of the Court of Appeal since 2008 and was required under the constitution of Ghana which is the highest law of the land, to have declared his assets and liabilities.”

The article of the constitution which the petitioner is citing states: “A person who holds a public office mentioned in clause (5) of this Article shall submit to the Auditor-General a written declaration of all property or assets owned by, or liabilities owed by, him whether directly or indirectly.”

Last week, President, Nana Akufo-Addo nominated Justice Anin Yeboah from the Supreme Court judge to replace the retiring current Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo.