CJ undermines Committee's mandate to investigate Judiciary

Mr Justice Emmanuel K. Wiredu, Chief Justice on Tuesday said it was wrong for a Parliamentary Select Committee being an arm of government to investigate the judiciary.

"The executive, judiciary and legislature are three distinct arms of government, who are empowered by the constitution, to perform independently of each other and it is unfortunate that the select committee, should trespass into the judiciary, to investigate ‘perceived corruption.’" he added.

Speaking to Journalists as part of a day's visit to the Western Region, Justice Wiredu noted that though the judiciary could set aside many of the laws passed by Parliament, it does not interfere with the work of Parliament, unless citizens bring for interpretation laws that need technical expertise.

He noted that though Parliament might not have had an ill motive, it should have been cautious about the issue adding, "corruption is endemic in all parts of the national life of the country and all efforts must be made to eradicate it". On the issue of death sentence, Justice Wiredu re-affirmed that it should be maintained.

He explained that though many groups are calling for its abolition, they have not as yet explained the rational behind their proposal for abolishing it. "It is only the President who has the prerogative to reverse or enforce the death sentence imposed on an accused," he said.

"I am a Christian and I strongly believe that if you take the life of someone, your life should be taken in turn", he stressed. He said as part of his crusade against corruption and reformation of the Judiciary, 43 lower court officials and a circuit court judge, had been dismissed out of a total of 80 cases received on assumption of office.

Justice Wiredu also reacted to suggestions for custodial sentences saying although it was lawful he preferred the imposition of fines to jail terms adding that this could, however, be solved if the increasing indiscipline in all spheres of daily life is stopped. "Until then, we will have no choice, but to remand and imprison unruly citizens," he stated.

He said so far, there was no law that allowed judges to release mentally handicapped prisoners and "born again" prisoners from any state institution. Justice Wiredu earlier paid a courtesy call on Mr. Joseph B. Aidoo, Western Regional Minister.

The Regional Minister assured the Chief Justice that he would do everything possible to ensure peace and harmony between the Bench and the Bar in the region.

Mr Aidoo expressed his appreciation to Justice Wiredu for the computerisation of all regional high courts. Mr. Justice Samuel A. Afereh, Mr. Justice Jones Dotse and Mr Nicholas C. Agbeko, deputy judicial secretary, accompanied Mr.Justice Wiredu.