The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Marietta Brew Oppong has cautioned judges to desist from turning themselves into demi-gods in the performance of their duties.
According to her though judges in the clerical order are put next to God, they are not gods yet and should not portray themselves as such.
“…Kindly note that though in the ecclesiastical order, it is said that your esteemed selves are next God, you are not gods – yet,” she said
Speaking at the swearing ceremony of newly appointed circuit court judges and magistrates in Accra on Thursday, Marietta Brew Oppong said the judges must accord court users the necessary respect due them.
“You must thus demonstrate the due courtesy and civility due lawyers, litigants, court officials, witnesses, the general public, Police, law students, journalists, as well as other court users. You thus must be firm but fair, stern but not harsh and kind but not doting to the affections of bewildered users of the court who are sometimes lost in the labyrinth of legal rules jargons, processes and procedures in which a few lawyers and judges get lost themselves.”
The Attorney General also urged the judges to demonstrate “exemplary virtues on and off the bench,” and also write “judgments that will stand the test of time.”
In all 7 magistrates and 12 circuit court judges were sworn into office.
Judicial corruption scandal
26 lower and high court judges out of 34 others have been sacked in the past few months after they were captured on a video by investigative Journalist; Anas Aremeyaw allegedly taking bribes to influence their judgment.
The renowned journalist, in the two-year investigation piece titled: “Ghana in the eyes of God; Epic of Injustice,” saw some judges receiving cash amounts and assorted items to free suspects or clear them of any wrongdoing.
They were relieved of their posts after the committee set up to look into the matter found them guilty.
The Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood also on July 15, 2016, swore into office 13 new High Court judges to replace those who were sacked.
-citifmonline