Akufo-Addo Dismisses ASEPA’s Petition To Have Chief Justice Removed Over Alleged $5m Bribe

President Akufo-Addo has dismissed a petition from pressure group, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) asking him to dismiss Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, over allegations that he solicited for a bribe to pervert justice in favor of a party in case he is presiding over.

In a letter dated August 20, 2021, to ASEPA, the President says ASEPA’s petition is based on third or fourth party hearsay in connection to an original allegation that a lawyer in the case, Akwasi Afrifa made against the Chief Justice.

“The petition is dismissed accordingly,” the letter which had been signed by Executive Secretary, Nana Asante Bediatuo, said.

The dismissal by the Presidency follows an earlier refusal by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) refusal to probe the issue after ASEPA had petitioned the Commission on 12th July.

CHRAJ had pointed out that even though ASEPA had written to it to investigate the allegation against the CJ by Lawyer Akwasi Afrifa, the pressure group had the very next day petitioned the President to dismiss the Chief Justice.

It said the dismissal invoked Article 146 of the Constitution and since ASEPA’s ultimate aim is to have the CJ dismissed by the President, then there was no need for it to investigate.

Meanwhile, following ASEPA’s petition to the President, Akufo-Addo had tasked the Council of State to determine if there was a prima facie case. The Council presented its report to the President late last week, apparently saying there was no prima facie case.

Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has been in the thick of a scandal storm after Lawyer Akwasi Afrifa, who was counsel to traditional ruler Ogyeedom Kwasi Atta, had alleged that his client had dispensed of his services and hired President Akufo-Addo’s personal lawyer in his place on the advice of the CJ.

According to Lawyer Afrifa, the hiring of Akoto Ampaw in his place is part of an arrangement advised by the Chief Justice which entails the chief paying a bribe of USD5million in exchange for a favorable judgment in the chief’s case against Ghana Telecom.

The Chief Justice has denied the allegation and asked the Police to investigate.