Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah has made a formal complaint to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service for an investigation into the US$5 million bribery allegation levelled against him.
He has also petitioned the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council (GLC) in respect of the allegation.
A letter submitted by the Judicial Secretary to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) demanding action says the Chief Justice’s attention has been drawn to copies of letters from a Lawyer (Akwasi Afrifa, Esq) and his client, the plaintiff in the matter of OGYEEDOM OBRANU KWESI ATTA IV V GHANA TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY & LANDS COMMISSION, to the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, and which letters are making rounds on social media.
“His Lordship confirms that he does not know the plaintiff and has not met or seen him anywhere, except in the court room when he rises to announce his name when his case is called.”
“His Lordship is saddened that without any shred of evidence, his name has been dragged into this sordid and potentially criminal matter,” part of the letter read.
He appealed to the IGP to fully investigate the matter and expressed his readiness to avail himself to assist with all investigations.
The Chief Justice also indicated he will pursue civil legal options to ensure the matter is dealt with to its logical conclusions.
Read full text of the letter below.
THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE
GHANA POLICE SERVICE
POLICE HEADQUARTERS
ACCRA
ATTENTION: COP. MR. ISAAC KEN YEBOAH
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, CID
REQUEST TO THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE TO CONDUCT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO A BRIBERY ALLEGATION
The attention of His Lordship the Chief Justice has been drawn to copies of letters from a Lawyer (Akwasi Afrifa, Esq) and his client, the plaintiff in the matter of OGYEEDOM OBRANU KWESI ATTA IV V GHANA TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY & LANDS COMMISSION, to the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council, and which letters are making rounds on social media. His Lordship is saddened that without any shred of evidence, his name has been dragged into this sordid and potentially criminal matter.
His Lordship confirms that he does not know the plaintiff and has not met or seen him anywhere, except in the court room when he rises to announce his name when his case is called. His Lordship asserts that he has had no personal interaction either with the plaintiff or his lawyer on this matter or in any other matter. His Lordship further asserts that he has not demanded or received any money from any person to influence any decision in this matter or any other matter.
Indeed, the records show that the plaintiff unsuccessfully petitioned for the recusal of His Lordship the Chief Justice and His Lordship Justice Victor Jones Mawulom Dotse from the matter, on a claim that they were prejudiced against him.
The records further show that the Chief Justice was the only Judge on a panel who recently on 31st March 2021 dissented in an application at the instance of the plaintiff Ogyeedom Obranu Kwesi Atta IV in favour of the respondent, Ghana Telecommunications Co. Ltd.
To ensure that this matter is fully investigated, His Lordship has directed that a formal complaint be made to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service for investigations and any necessary action. He has further directed that a Petition be lodged with the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council in respect of this specific matter.
His Lordship is available to assist with all investigations into this matter, while he considers his own civil legal options to ensure that this matter is dealt with to its logical conclusions.
Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo Judicial Secretary
CC: His Lordship the Chief Justice
The President, Ghana Bar Association
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