Chief Justice to Probe Alleged Supreme Court Judge’s Bribe to Influence Speakership Election

The Chief Justice is going to open a probe into the allegation that a justice of the Supreme Court tried to influence a National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s nominee for Speaker.

A statement signed by the Judicial Secretary, Cynthia Pamela Addo, Justice Kwesi Ani Yeboah will be inviting Hon. Muntaka Mubarak, the MP for Asawase who revealed the bribery attempt to help with the investigation.

“The general public is hereby assured that the 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 Mubarak Muntaka, MP, to establish the facts in order that the matter can be dealt with appropriately,” read the statement

The statement assured the public will be kept posted on the developments. it said the Judiciary has received the allegation with concern.

Hon. Muntaka Mubarak has already indicated he the NDC is ready with the necessary evidence and will make it available if the Chief Justice requests it.

On the night of the election of a Speaker for the eight Parliament, a Supreme Court judge is alleged to have called a female MP with the NDC and asked her to vote for the NPP’s nominee for Speaker, Prof. Mike Ocaquaye in exchange for bribes.

The judge is said to have promised to pay the school fees of the children of the said MP and also allow her free supply of fuel for four years. 

The MP, however, refused to be bribed, joining in with the rest of the NDC MPs and two other MPs from the NPP side to vote for the NDC’s nominee, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

Since the revelation, the public has been demanding a probe into the bribery.

Meanwhile, US-based Ghanaian broadcaster, Kweku Skirt, has been claiming he has tape evidence of the bribery proposition. Mr. Skirt names one Justice Anyoga, believed to be a corruption of the name of Justice Hornyenuga, as the culprit.