Justice Gbadegbe attributes delay of court cases to poor facilities

Accra, Oct 12, GNA-Mr. Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe, A nominee to the Supreme Court on Monday attributed the accumulation of court cases throughout the country to poor facilities and lack of the required equipment to administer justice.

"Although there have been attempts to computerize some courts, most of them are still relying on archaic machines, while some judges still use long hands in writing instead of modern technology to effectively deal with cases with dispatch".

Justice Gbadegbe, who is a Judge of the Court of Appeal, was answering a question posed by Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah, Member for Ningo- Prampram, when he appeared before the Parliamentary Vetting Committee. Two other nominees: Mr. Justice Benjamin Teikoo Ayittey and Justice Vida Akoto Bamfo also appeared before the committee.

He said it was unfortunate that while the Judicial Services in other countries used the computer to dispense off cases, courts in the country still relied on long handwriting and antiquated typewriters. "Apart from the equipment, there is also the serious challenge of lawyers, so many adjournments,lack of law libraries, books and interpreters for various languages particularly in our lower courts".

He appealed to Members of Parliament (MPs), the media and civil society organizations to take special interest in the plight of the judiciary so as to help expedite action on cases sent to various courts. "The delays in the administering of justice in our courts is not only overburdening all parties involved but was also discouraging people from sending genuine cases to court for adjudication". He added Justice Gbadegbe said if given the nod to become a Supreme Court Judge, he would in collaboration with his colleagues use all the means offered by the constitution including customary and statutory structures to administer justice in the country.

Mr. Ambrose Dery, Deputy Minority leader wanted to know his style of administering justice should he be promoted to the Supreme Court judge. Justice Akoto Bamfo, the third presidential nominee, to be vetted by the committee said she would consider all options including the use of National Service law graduates to strengthen the legal structures in the country when Alhaji. Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Member for Asawase wanted to know if it was possible to strengthen the Legal Aid to facilitate the activities of the judicial system in the country. She said it was not expedient to change the Chief Justice anytime there was a change of government when Mr. Osei Kyei- Mensah- Bonsu, Minority leader, asked if she would support the removal of the current Chief Justice who was appointed during the NPP regime.

"I am not even aware that people are agitating for the removal of the current Chief Justice. I am hearing from you for the first time and I will personally not buy such an idea." She said Judges like other public servants were often subjected to public scrutiny for the decisions they take in Court when Mr. Edward K. Doe-Adjaho, Chairman of the vetting Committee asked if it was good for judges to be criticised. "Mr. Chairman, as you know adjudication has two ways- the winner and the loser and the winner will never criticize negatively, but the loser will always find means of refuting the verdict and that is why I think that criticisms are allowed." He concluded.