The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has enjoined the public to allow the rule of law to determine whether the video exposing acts of corruption in the judiciary should be made public or not.
According to the GBA, the matters involved are very delicate which could best be addressed by the provisions of the constitution.
Ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has uncovered massive corruption in the third arm of government.
About 12 high court judges and 22 magistrates were caught on camera taking bribes.
[contextly_sidebar id=”Q4MFzVtyYO1H1FYBSvyAtfRVaUOD6kXm”]However the decision to release the video to the general public has sparked public row as some believe the exposure will destroy the public’s trust in the judicial arm of government.
On the contrary, others believe exposing the said judges and magistrates will help create public awareness and further ensure that the necessary action is taken against the culprits.
But speaking on Eyewitness News, Public Relations Officer of the GBA, Tony Forson said the constitution should reign supreme.
“I think that what the constitution has prescribed is what ought to be, whatever anybody decides to discuss on social media is his view, … the decisions on these matters should not be founded on a response on social media, the decision on these matters ought to be founded on what the constitution which is the fundamental law of this land, prescribes,” he stated.
Tony Forson however declined to explain how the administration of justice will be affected by the scandal that has hit the judiciary.
According to him, the GBA will declare its position after the necessary investigations have been conducted and concluded.
“…As an association we believe that we must respect the constitutional provisions, allow the constitutional arrangement to take its course and after that we can comment because we believe that as the constitutions says the persons who have been accused must be heard in their defense and at the end of the day, findings of guilt or whatever will be made, so for now we believe that the right thing is being done,” he said.
The Judicial Council on Wednesday announced the suspension of 22 circuit court judges and magistrates indicted in the investigative piece.
The action also came after the submission of their responses to the Judicial Council.
Meanwhile investigations are ongoing to decide the fate of 12 high court judges who have also been implicated in the report.
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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citifmonline.com/Ghana