The Chief Justice of Ghana, her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has declined the request of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to remove High Court Judge, Justice Edward Twum, from all cases involving the OSP.
The OSP, led by Kissi Agyabeng, had petitioned the Chief Justice a fortnight ago to remove Judge Twum, accusing him of being biased and prejudiced against the OSP and the Special Prosecutor.
However, in a letter dated 25 October 2023, the Judicial Secretary informed the Special Prosecutor that “the Chief Justice is unable to accede to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s request for his lordship Justice Edward Twum to be recused and removed from all cases pending before him.”
The OSP had expressed its dissatisfaction with Judge Twum after he ordered the OSP to return seized properties from the residence of embattled former Sanitation Minister, Madam Cecilia Dapaah, within seven days on 31 August 2023.
The court ruled that the OSP had acted wrongly in exercising its powers to search for the home of the former minister and had violated the legal conditions and time frame for seizing properties suspected to be tainted with corruption.
The Special Prosecutor expressed disappointment with the Chief Justice’s decision and indicated he would explore other legal options to ensure justice and accountability.
He said Judge Twum had shown “a clear lack of understanding of the mandate and functions of the OSP and a disregard for the rule of law.”
Nana Asante Bediatuo, Madam Dapaah’s lawyer praised Judge Twum for his “fair and impartial” judgment and said that the court vindicated his client.
The OSP, he said, had acted in bad faith and had violated his client’s rights and dignity.
He said that Madam Dapaah is ready to cooperate with any lawful investigation into her affairs but would not tolerate any witch-hunt or harassment by the OSP.