I refused to become a judge because of my lifestyle – Ace Ankomah

Read Article

Comments (69)

This article is closed for comments.

Read Comments Comments (69)

NOWATI 8 years ago

Lazy journalism here on Ghanaweb. If someone is showing his arrogance on his facebook you also pick from there and publize here for people to read. This guy so-called a lawyer doesn't deserve even one-filth of the criteria of ...
read full comment

Lazy journalism here on Ghanaweb. If someone is showing his arrogance on his facebook you also pick from there and publize here for people to read. This guy so-called a lawyer doesn't deserve even one-filth of the criteria of selecting as a judge. He just brag and boost off and showing his arrogance on his facebook wall. How many cases has he even won in court before? We are tired of copy and cut facebook news here. Poor journalists at work.
gretchy NZ 8 years ago

wasted bit of useless information.Life style huh,whats to say he never bribed as a shit head lawyer the bastard

wasted bit of useless information.Life style huh,whats to say he never bribed as a shit head lawyer the bastard
Nii 8 years ago

There's a lot to learn from this publication especially if you have been a victim of judges who twist an open truth and facts solely for their personal gains and that of their colluding criminal lawyers and some political big ...
read full comment

There's a lot to learn from this publication especially if you have been a victim of judges who twist an open truth and facts solely for their personal gains and that of their colluding criminal lawyers and some political bigwigs in our society
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 8 years ago

I am sure what Ghanaians want to know from him is not he refused to be appointed judge because of the temptation of bribe but in view of the bribery scandal, has he bribed a judge on behalf of his client/s to secure a judgeme ...
read full comment

I am sure what Ghanaians want to know from him is not he refused to be appointed judge because of the temptation of bribe but in view of the bribery scandal, has he bribed a judge on behalf of his client/s to secure a judgement in his favour?

That is the allegation against Ghanaian Attorneys. That is, they ask their clients for money to see judges so that the judge will rule in their favour. Is he one such Attorneys?
Bashmb 8 years ago

This is a legitimate question to ask. Has he bribe any judge on behalf of his client to twist judgement in their favor?

This is a legitimate question to ask. Has he bribe any judge on behalf of his client to twist judgement in their favor?
MR TRULY TRULY 8 years ago

Please accept this time to join the correct judges. Ghana need you to serve the republic. I will cal you to the bench soon. Am Chief Justice Mr Truly Truly

Please accept this time to join the correct judges. Ghana need you to serve the republic. I will cal you to the bench soon. Am Chief Justice Mr Truly Truly
kwesi 8 years ago

It's very clear that this guy have been bribing judges

It's very clear that this guy have been bribing judges
Eric Amegashie 8 years ago

Thats the almighty Question , and that my friends is the Question ?

Thats the almighty Question , and that my friends is the Question ?
DusTY-FooT-pHiloSophER 8 years ago

Yes, he is, hence his rush to play it holy Ace before the media. His rant is a hallmark of an hypocrite.

Yes, he is, hence his rush to play it holy Ace before the media. His rant is a hallmark of an hypocrite.
Kwasi Asamoah 8 years ago

Ace Ankomah is one of the Lawyers who received favours from the corrupt judges. His utterance is just a PLOY for us to have sympathy for the CROOKED AND CORRUPT JUDGES caught taking bribes in the Anas video. His Law firm Bent ...
read full comment

Ace Ankomah is one of the Lawyers who received favours from the corrupt judges. His utterance is just a PLOY for us to have sympathy for the CROOKED AND CORRUPT JUDGES caught taking bribes in the Anas video. His Law firm Bentsi - Enchill Letsa & Ankomah Co is one of the Law Firms which receive favours from the courts. Why can't Ace Ankomah a strong NPP member and a member of OCCUPY GHANA go and occupy the Court premises to damans that the judges should be dealt with seriously? Ace Ankomah thinks that we are fools. WHAT HE IS IMPLYING IS THAT THE JUDGES ARE RIGHT IN TAKING BRIBES
JOHN MAHAMA'S BROTHER 8 years ago

WE HAVE SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT AKUFFO ADDO IS NPP'S PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST WON'T LISTEN! ALL THAT AKUFFO ADDO KNOWS IS JUST RELYING ON FAKE PROPHECIES FROM FAKE PASTORS TO DECLARE HIM PRESIDENT! WELL LET'S WAIT FOR T ...
read full comment

WE HAVE SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT AKUFFO ADDO IS NPP'S PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST WON'T LISTEN! ALL THAT AKUFFO ADDO KNOWS IS JUST RELYING ON FAKE PROPHECIES FROM FAKE PASTORS TO DECLARE HIM PRESIDENT! WELL LET'S WAIT FOR THIS MOVIE BY UK CHRISTIANS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY A PASTOR, SAMMY ANKRAH (RELIABLE INFORMATION WE ARE GETTING INDICATES HE IS AN NPP EXECUTIVE!) - AIMED AT EXPOSING FAKE AND CORRUPT PASTORS! EI! NPP EXECUTIVE EXPOSING AKUFFO ADDO FAKE PASTORS? WE CAN'T WAIT! CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW (OR COPY AND PASTE) TO WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO.

https://youtu.be/UOGk3PbFeGI
The Truth (london) 8 years ago

To NOWATI
Where is the arrogance in the statement made by the seasoned lawyer. You seem to be one of those that don't like the truth. Reflecting on his statement in my opinion means he could or could not have become a victim ...
read full comment

To NOWATI
Where is the arrogance in the statement made by the seasoned lawyer. You seem to be one of those that don't like the truth. Reflecting on his statement in my opinion means he could or could not have become a victim of this this saga. Also am not getting you on the issue of questioning the number of cases that he has won? So if money is changing hands in cases do you honestly think you may win a case is if there hard been such occurrences? I suggest you think before you write Mr Hater and if any you don't deserve to be given a prominence on this platform
Zee Popo 8 years ago

You took a bold and right decision.

You took a bold and right decision.
TRUTH 8 years ago

Simply you are not cut for the job. Brilliant but loose mouth.

Simply you are not cut for the job. Brilliant but loose mouth.
********** 8 years ago

C'mon Ace we all know that the pay in the public sector is not enough in Ghana, but there are other incentives that compensate for that! These dodgy judges know that and they enjoy it. That definitely is no justification for ...
read full comment

C'mon Ace we all know that the pay in the public sector is not enough in Ghana, but there are other incentives that compensate for that! These dodgy judges know that and they enjoy it. That definitely is no justification for their conduct.
K. Appiah 8 years ago

I love this fine and intelligent gentleman so much. (WO SU KORAAA, NA WOYE MORE)

I love this fine and intelligent gentleman so much. (WO SU KORAAA, NA WOYE MORE)
Jumbo 8 years ago

This man knew that the judicial System was awashed with bribe taking but kept it to himself till now when the truth is already a public knowledge.The subtle confession he is trying to tell is that,the late SC judge,was a brib ...
read full comment

This man knew that the judicial System was awashed with bribe taking but kept it to himself till now when the truth is already a public knowledge.The subtle confession he is trying to tell is that,the late SC judge,was a bribe taker till his death.
Yussif 8 years ago

Ace this is an honest answer and the best decision you ever took we all know our inner self better than anyone,you choose the easy path it comes with a price if you re unprincipled.we all accept an appointment to a job knowin ...
read full comment

Ace this is an honest answer and the best decision you ever took we all know our inner self better than anyone,you choose the easy path it comes with a price if you re unprincipled.we all accept an appointment to a job knowing exactly the package that comes with it conditions of service,I fact the respect that is attached to this judges should not even make them blink an eye or contemplate holding high their self esteem.The argument that they re humans does not arise in this case because no animal will ever get that job just as we don't see Angels to offer jobs to,punishment proscribed for wrong doing should not be varied for a particular set of people just because they still ve their colleagues presiding over the case,Ace Ankomah and other public interest lawyers must keep their eyes on the ball for any act of cover up the the aforementioned judges in this scandal,nobody should be left off the hook.
Yaw Mensah 8 years ago

I am quite happy to read this piece coming from someone with all his Christian values admitting his taste of good things and that chances of that messing him his head up. I would also take the time to celebrate people who hav ...
read full comment

I am quite happy to read this piece coming from someone with all his Christian values admitting his taste of good things and that chances of that messing him his head up. I would also take the time to celebrate people who have taken up the sacrifice to work on the bench with honesty and integrity. Those I would like to celebrate for their moral courage just I would celebrate people like Ace Ankomah who have declined in order to to bring the 3rd arm of government into disrepute. I salute those Judges who have executed their work with honesty, fairness and integrity. I feel sorry for Ghana but it is also good to know that there are still some people with good going the extra mile. What worries me is the sampling ratio of those who were corruptible as compared with those who were not. Some may say 10% but looking at the big picture the situation is a lot worse than it appears.
life 8 years ago

Should we praise him for being an honest thief. So is he now a giver of bribes instead of a taker, which one is he?

Should we praise him for being an honest thief. So is he now a giver of bribes instead of a taker, which one is he?
Me 8 years ago

sitting back and carefully observing the reactions, I clearly can see those lawyers and law firms who have been most frustrated by this illegal practice over the years. But for the lawyers and their firms who were part of th ...
read full comment

sitting back and carefully observing the reactions, I clearly can see those lawyers and law firms who have been most frustrated by this illegal practice over the years. But for the lawyers and their firms who were part of this corrupt system, they can only fight back silently leaning on all manner of technicalities of due process. I can understand them because they procured their fame (that of their firms as well) through this corrupt system.
Nash 8 years ago

This guy blows his horn too much. Is there any honest lawyer or judge in mother Ghana? I dare him to swear that even in his private practice, he has never taken bribe or compromised his position. This is a shit journalism. ...
read full comment

This guy blows his horn too much. Is there any honest lawyer or judge in mother Ghana? I dare him to swear that even in his private practice, he has never taken bribe or compromised his position. This is a shit journalism. There are more incorruptible people out there than this arrogant "hombre," who would never be known. Give us a break.
Nii 8 years ago

I have been wondering why Anas left out members of the Court of Appeal?They are a terrible bunch of thieves. Colluding with criminal lawyers to covet the properties of innocent Ghanaians. They and their children and children' ...
read full comment

I have been wondering why Anas left out members of the Court of Appeal?They are a terrible bunch of thieves. Colluding with criminal lawyers to covet the properties of innocent Ghanaians. They and their children and children's children will face the accursed consequences
Abeeku Mensah 8 years ago

I'm not the least impressed, Ace Ankomah if you know what I mean. After all you dance before the very judges and courts where you win or lose cases based on your interpersonal relationships with sitting justices.
Furthermor ...
read full comment

I'm not the least impressed, Ace Ankomah if you know what I mean. After all you dance before the very judges and courts where you win or lose cases based on your interpersonal relationships with sitting justices.
Furthermore what is the state of affairs of the quality of law school graduates that litter the Ghana landscape? Are they better or worse that those before your arrival as a lecturer? How could it be that our wonderful Ghanaian trained lawyers are not good enough to defend the nation in cases that matter? Mrs Clooney has been busy going places around the world to defend and expose injustices while the proud nickel and dime lawyerly bunch in Ghana toot their horns where judicial outcomes are for sale. You could use the skills of Mrs Clooney for a change Ace Ankomah.
DOOBIA 8 years ago

Struggling for attention and recognition - always boastful. You led the campaign against your fellow lawyers for labeling some judges corrupt. Shame on you, radio lawyer. What you did in Legon was more or less "pupil" teachi ...
read full comment

Struggling for attention and recognition - always boastful. You led the campaign against your fellow lawyers for labeling some judges corrupt. Shame on you, radio lawyer. What you did in Legon was more or less "pupil" teaching cuz you were not qualified to lecture.
Mojingles 8 years ago

Shut up, Ankomah, you egotistical blabbermouth. I heard you on BBC in the immediate aftermath of the bribery scandal, and I was utterly shocked that you couldn't express yourself fluently in response to a question posed to yo ...
read full comment

Shut up, Ankomah, you egotistical blabbermouth. I heard you on BBC in the immediate aftermath of the bribery scandal, and I was utterly shocked that you couldn't express yourself fluently in response to a question posed to you by the presenter.....the articulation was glaringly absent....you couldn't properly explain why the bribery had occurred and you muttered something like "the parties pay the judges, Ghanaians will lose confidence."

You are so full of it...so what if you rejected an offer to become a judge? On what merits, your legal acumen? There are brilliant lawyers toiling away in obscurity and shunning the kind of publicity you so desperately crave. Just practice you craft quietly without the fanfareand you will be appreciated more.
Unjust 8 years ago

You knew about this situation but did nothing untill Anas investigation.That tells us who you are as a Ghanaian.And you discussed it with your family and PASTOR?

You knew about this situation but did nothing untill Anas investigation.That tells us who you are as a Ghanaian.And you discussed it with your family and PASTOR?
John 8 years ago

Nonsense.

Nonsense.
Ameyibor 8 years ago

u ar one of those who influence judges with moni from clients

u ar one of those who influence judges with moni from clients
Kanawu 8 years ago

I accepted to be a judge because I knew I would get extra money through bribery. I am now retired

I accepted to be a judge because I knew I would get extra money through bribery. I am now retired
Atafoa 8 years ago

Hurray at last. Name Shame & Punish the corrupt judges

Hurray at last. Name Shame & Punish the corrupt judges
Kaka 8 years ago

Where is your thinking cap? Talking like a boy.

Where is your thinking cap? Talking like a boy.
Photosy 8 years ago

I read with shock my good friend Lawyer Frank Agyen's piece titled " ANAS IS RUNNING GHANA DOWN " Lawyer Agyen', outgoing NPP MP for Effiduase Asorkor in the Asanti Region should have known better to have commented.

Then C ...
read full comment

I read with shock my good friend Lawyer Frank Agyen's piece titled " ANAS IS RUNNING GHANA DOWN " Lawyer Agyen', outgoing NPP MP for Effiduase Asorkor in the Asanti Region should have known better to have commented.

Then Comes Ace Ankomah with his piece about having rejected the offer to sit on the bench giving some of his reasons as 1) he will take bribe 2) his insatiable love for fast cars 2) loves play music and perhaps many more.

One may analyse this pieces of unsolicited comments from these supposed learned men and only conclude the follow:

1) BRIBERY IS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE RECEIVER BUT THE NEGOTIATOR ( CLIENTS LAWYER) AND THE GIVER.

2) HOW MANY INNOCENT LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST BY THE MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE INSTITUTED BY THE NEGOTIATOR WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO MAKE MONEY AT ALL COST THROUGH CORRUPTING JUDGE ?

3) ALL POLITICIANS WHO ARE LAWYERS MUST BE VETTED THOROUGHLY. THE NATIONAL SECURITY APPARATUS MUST BE MADE TO INVESTIGATE EVERY LAWYER, WHO WANTS TO STAND AS PRESIDENT, PARLIAMENTARIAN, OR OFFERED A MINISTERIAL POSITION THOROUGHLY, INCLUDING REVIEWING ALL CASES HANDLED BY THEM FROM THEIR PRIVATE CHAMBERS. Already, the financial sector is a victim of this arrangement, if one wants to open a Bank, the very rigorous investigations on the directors and shareholders by the National Security applies and same must apply to ALL POLITICIANS,
koo nimo 8 years ago

SILLY STATEMENT

SILLY STATEMENT
Bernard 8 years ago

Who wants to know whether you like flash cars or not? And who doesn't like to take good care of their families? Empty barrel. Today is Sunday, but go and see the number of criminals and corrupt officials in Church singing all ...
read full comment

Who wants to know whether you like flash cars or not? And who doesn't like to take good care of their families? Empty barrel. Today is Sunday, but go and see the number of criminals and corrupt officials in Church singing alleluyah to God as if nothing happened.
Obiba Kwame 8 years ago

Mr. Ankomah, the difference is not so much! Even with the private practice you're not supposed to be unconscionable by charging your clients exorbitantly!Practicing law in America is very particular and meticulous about that. ...
read full comment

Mr. Ankomah, the difference is not so much! Even with the private practice you're not supposed to be unconscionable by charging your clients exorbitantly!Practicing law in America is very particular and meticulous about that. The ethics of the profession is strictly enforced. One can lose his/her license as a result....
Yaw 8 years ago

Of course most attorneys with equivalent or slightly less experience in the legal profession earn more than federal judges. Do you know how much Chief Justice Roberts was earning before he was confirmed to the SCOTUS? So what ...
read full comment

Of course most attorneys with equivalent or slightly less experience in the legal profession earn more than federal judges. Do you know how much Chief Justice Roberts was earning before he was confirmed to the SCOTUS? So what is your point?
Judith 8 years ago

Hmmmmmmmmm, people fear to be named and shamed in public. Let us also look at the other side when nobody sees you except the almighty God. I think that is even worse off

Hmmmmmmmmm, people fear to be named and shamed in public. Let us also look at the other side when nobody sees you except the almighty God. I think that is even worse off
Siburuku Tifalo 8 years ago

Or is he confirming JUDGES are solely and experts for BRIBES? Huuuii what a corrupt profession!

Or is he confirming JUDGES are solely and experts for BRIBES? Huuuii what a corrupt profession!
Kofi Ghana 8 years ago

Very useless and baseless. Well done for adopting that formula one lifestyle. How is your rhetoric going to help in the ensuing scandal? Self righteousness. Verily, verily, I say unto you, those judges are far better than you ...
read full comment

Very useless and baseless. Well done for adopting that formula one lifestyle. How is your rhetoric going to help in the ensuing scandal? Self righteousness. Verily, verily, I say unto you, those judges are far better than you. Poor publicity. You don't even quality to be a judge.
opra 8 years ago

Hahaha if he doesn't "quality" to be a judge, then you need to refund all the school fees you have wasted. What do you think??

Hahaha if he doesn't "quality" to be a judge, then you need to refund all the school fees you have wasted. What do you think??
Onipaba 8 years ago

The moral faculty in the educated Ghanaian is broken.

And in their immorality they still always refer to God, church, Jesus and PASTOR.

Ace confirms that he too is immoral.

Our schools have failed us. Our churches h ...
read full comment

The moral faculty in the educated Ghanaian is broken.

And in their immorality they still always refer to God, church, Jesus and PASTOR.

Ace confirms that he too is immoral.

Our schools have failed us. Our churches have failed us. Our mosques too. We have a nation of thieves.
PRINCEWILLY@YMAIL.COM 8 years ago

An attorney passed on and found himself in Heaven (obviously not a family law lawyer), but was not at all happy with his accommodations. He complained to Saint Peter, who told him his only course of action was to appeal. The ...
read full comment

An attorney passed on and found himself in Heaven (obviously not a family law lawyer), but was not at all happy with his accommodations. He complained to Saint Peter, who told him his only course of action was to appeal. The lawyer immediately appealed and was told it would take 3 years to hear his appeal. The attorney protested that this was unconscionable, but to no avail.

The lawyer was then approached by the devil who told him that he could have the appeal heard within a few days if the lawyer would change the venue to Hell. When the lawyer asked why appeals were heard so much sooner in Hell, he was told "We have all the judges.
Afedzie 8 years ago

They truly have all the judges in hell

They truly have all the judges in hell
TULA 8 years ago

Massa ACe Ankoma the points you raised in this piece if they true are just unprofessional and stupid because in this world ; whether you like it or not it you as human being who craft your identity and progress in life ; what ...
read full comment

Massa ACe Ankoma the points you raised in this piece if they true are just unprofessional and stupid because in this world ; whether you like it or not it you as human being who craft your identity and progress in life ; what is the rational in telling people all this ; you also give the game away in your interview when you claim to say you know a client who gave a judge bribe ; what you do not understand is the the people like you we all know are just GREEDY ; you pay judges to throw cases and you are involved yourself and so stop this holier than thou nonsense and stop this arrogance of loving to leave fast lives and driving fast cars theses are all traits of being GREEDY because rational layers people do not talk like that ; if you a lucky to be not involved in this disgracful acts just keep your unwashable and dirty mouth shut because that is what wise men do .
JOHN MAHAMA'S BROTHER 8 years ago

YOU SEE, WE HAVE SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT AKUFFO ADDO IS NPP'S PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST WON'T LISTEN! ALL THAT AKUFFO ADDO KNOWS IS JUST RELYING ON FAKE PROPHECIES FROM FAKE PASTORS TO DECLARE HIM PRESIDENT! WELL LET'S W ...
read full comment

YOU SEE, WE HAVE SAID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT AKUFFO ADDO IS NPP'S PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST WON'T LISTEN! ALL THAT AKUFFO ADDO KNOWS IS JUST RELYING ON FAKE PROPHECIES FROM FAKE PASTORS TO DECLARE HIM PRESIDENT! WELL LET'S WAIT FOR THIS MOVIE BY UK CHRISTIANS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY A PASTOR, SAMMY ANKRAH (RELIABLE INFORMATION WE ARE GETTING INDICATES HE IS AN NPP EXECUTIVE!) - AIMED AT EXPOSING FAKE AND CORRUPT PASTORS! EI! NPP EXECUTIVE EXPOSING AKUFFO ADDO FAKE PASTORS? WE CAN'T WAIT! CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW (OR COPY AND PASTE) TO WATCH THIS YOUTUBE VIDEO.

https://youtu.be/UOGk3PbFeGI
The Truth (london) 8 years ago

Where is the arrogance in statement made by the seasoned lawyer. You seem to be one of those that don't like the truth. Reflecting on his statement in my opinion means he could or could not have become a victim of this this s ...
read full comment

Where is the arrogance in statement made by the seasoned lawyer. You seem to be one of those that don't like the truth. Reflecting on his statement in my opinion means he could or could not have become a victim of this this saga. Also am not getting you on the issue of questioning the number of cases that he has won? So if money is changing hands in cases do you honestly think you may win a case is if there hard been such occurrences? I suggest you think before you write Mr Hater and if any you don't deserve to be given a prominence on this platform
OSAMAN BIN KARIM 8 years ago

THIS IS THE CONFESSION OF A FOOL. HE IS SAYING "IF YOU THINK I AM LYING, ASK MY WITNESS". OF COURSE YOU CAN'T;HIS WITNESS IS DEAD! IS HE RATHER CONFESSING THAT HE BRIBES JUDGES?

THIS IS THE CONFESSION OF A FOOL. HE IS SAYING "IF YOU THINK I AM LYING, ASK MY WITNESS". OF COURSE YOU CAN'T;HIS WITNESS IS DEAD! IS HE RATHER CONFESSING THAT HE BRIBES JUDGES?
Kofi 8 years ago

When Ace Ankomah, became one of the leading men of Occupy Ghana, I adviced him to first focus his venom on the Judiciary system instead of the flag staff house. Now by his own admission, he is not in Occupy Ghana for the bene ...
read full comment

When Ace Ankomah, became one of the leading men of Occupy Ghana, I adviced him to first focus his venom on the Judiciary system instead of the flag staff house. Now by his own admission, he is not in Occupy Ghana for the benefit of his fellow country men but for his love of "fast cars" and "good life". Ghana is lost. The so called "intellectuals" whom people expect so much from are simply seeking the lime light for personal gain and not public service. They do not walk the talk. By the way Ace, on which roads in Ghana will you enjoy your "fast cars". Do you mean the narrow pot holed death traps that we call highways, that continue to take precious lifes by the hundreds every year. Well good luck.
getho 8 years ago

your comment is apt. in ghana, judgement goes in favor of the highest bidder. you don't have to be a master of the craft, just be a willing partner of the system. a simple case can drag for years. just because of a corrupt sy ...
read full comment

your comment is apt. in ghana, judgement goes in favor of the highest bidder. you don't have to be a master of the craft, just be a willing partner of the system. a simple case can drag for years. just because of a corrupt system. thank you anas for coming to our rescue!!!
Akosua 8 years ago

Ace ankomah, u are a big joke.u think being a judge is like taking a shit?

Ace ankomah, u are a big joke.u think being a judge is like taking a shit?
Stacy 8 years ago

See this joker.so its all about the money right?no wonder u confessed yourself u were a crook. Being a judge is an honour and comes with a great responsibility. U think being a judge now is like the days of justice Aquah who ...
read full comment

See this joker.so its all about the money right?no wonder u confessed yourself u were a crook. Being a judge is an honour and comes with a great responsibility. U think being a judge now is like the days of justice Aquah who packed the bench with incompetent half baked lawyers to become judges? U need to write many exams and pass many interviews to become a judge now which am sure u will fail miserably. Your article is an insult to judges and who told u judges dont drive fast cars and have time for their families? .
kofi 8 years ago

stupid npp lawyer

stupid npp lawyer
Obroni 8 years ago

Indeed Ace when your client bribed justice OFORI Atta locked my wife up for 30 days you behaved like you were the good lawyer doing achieving that whilst you knew your foreign client was bribing his way through the justice sy ...
read full comment

Indeed Ace when your client bribed justice OFORI Atta locked my wife up for 30 days you behaved like you were the good lawyer doing achieving that whilst you knew your foreign client was bribing his way through the justice system so I agree with you you would have been corrupt like most of them.
akuffo addo retirement party 8 years ago

junk

junk
Sika 8 years ago

By your selfish publication you may have killed an excellent talent for mother Ghana. Keep your failures to your stupid self and be mindful of what you say/write if you call yourself a true man of God. Shame on u failure. You ...
read full comment

By your selfish publication you may have killed an excellent talent for mother Ghana. Keep your failures to your stupid self and be mindful of what you say/write if you call yourself a true man of God. Shame on u failure. Your material cannot in anyway measure your success.
Sika 8 years ago

That rapist was set free and it hurts.

That rapist was set free and it hurts.
danny 8 years ago

pls guys be reasonable, Ace is talking abt himself, Wat he wants in lyf and dat being a judge, he wldnt be able to afford dose tins hence he will be tempted to tke bribes which he Wld so to still get Wat he wants and keep hi ...
read full comment

pls guys be reasonable, Ace is talking abt himself, Wat he wants in lyf and dat being a judge, he wldnt be able to afford dose tins hence he will be tempted to tke bribes which he Wld so to still get Wat he wants and keep his integrity he declined de offer. simple and short Hw does dis warrant a myriad of insults pls just leave de brilliant lawyer alone.
Ideology uk 8 years ago

why this trash you think you are good at the law remember you are not Dening or Diplock.

why this trash you think you are good at the law remember you are not Dening or Diplock.
Kofi Laputa 8 years ago

If you know yourself and your weaknesses, you can advise yourself accordingly.

If you know yourself and your weaknesses, you can advise yourself accordingly.
michael oppong acanchawah 8 years ago

because u dont know how to talk

because u dont know how to talk
Nicholas Murphy 8 years ago

This guy can MOCK, papaa. I luv dat

This guy can MOCK, papaa. I luv dat
Dr B 8 years ago

Let he who has no sin be the first to cast the stone.

Let he who has no sin be the first to cast the stone.
George 8 years ago

Can a genuine opinion be made in Ghana here without politics been in to it. It is highly unfortunate and deadly on path we have chosen to thread as individuals and a country as a whole.

Can a genuine opinion be made in Ghana here without politics been in to it. It is highly unfortunate and deadly on path we have chosen to thread as individuals and a country as a whole.
Owusu 8 years ago

Blablabla the ghana way

Blablabla the ghana way
Efo Kobla 8 years ago

The Guardian
home › opinion
columnists
home
UK
world
politics
sport
football
opinion selected
culture
business
lifestyle
fashion
environment
tech
travel
all
UK news liberty central
Why juries work best
...
read full comment

The Guardian
home › opinion
columnists
home
UK
world
politics
sport
football
opinion selected
culture
business
lifestyle
fashion
environment
tech
travel
all
UK news liberty central
Why juries work best
Paul Mendelle
Despite the failings of individual jurors, the system is reliable – and new evidence proves it
Sunday 21 February 2010 21.30 GMT Last modified on Wednesday 11 June 2014 20.10 BST

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+
In the quarter of a century I've been practising law, I've seen all sorts of jurors, from the highly educated to those who could not read the words of the oath, from copious note-takers to those who fought a battle to stay awake (usually losing it during my speech), from those who laughed just before convicting to those who cried as they acquitted. I long ago gave up trying to read juries or predict their verdicts. So if jury trial seems so haphazard, why do I remain such a big fan of it?

First and foremost, because despite the failings of individual jurors, juries get it right most of the time. They make the right decisions on the evidence and come to the right verdicts. Not every time, of course, they are not infallible – how could they be, no humans are, not even judges, but they do get it right most of the time.

Don't just take my word for it. The report from the Ministry of Justice published last week, the culmination of 18 months of meticulous research into over half a million cases heard in England and Wales, shows juries are fair, efficient and effective. They convict almost two-thirds of those they try, they convict more than they acquit in rape, they do not exhibit any racial bias and they only fail to reach verdicts in less than 1% of cases. So juries do a good job and now we have the facts and figures to prove it. Plainly that must be the first requirement of jury trial, whatever else may be its value.

Think back to all the major miscarriages of justice of the last 50 years and you'd be hard pressed to find one where the fault lay with the jury. Overwhelmingly the miscarriages have been due to failures in other parts of the system – by police, by experts, by witnesses or by lawyers. If the evidence put before the jury is flawed, because it is tainted by impropriety, wrongly interpreted, inaccurate or incomplete, then you will get a flawed verdict.

But that juries work well is not the only reason to support trial by jury. Equally important is the fact that juries are one of the most democratic aspects of the constitution; they are democracy in action every day of the week, not just once every four or five years. There is no other part of the constitution that is so open to the public, where ordinary people participate in decisions of such immediate importance and wield real power. There are jurors settling the fates of their fellow citizens in crown courts up and down the country every day of the week, determining by their verdicts whether or not defendants are guilty of the most serious crimes of violence and dishonesty such as murder, rape, robbery and fraud.

Juries bring with them the freshness and insights of those who are new to the system and have not become case-hardened or cynical. For anyone accused of crime, the truthful defence can be no different from the lying one – I wasn't there, I thought he was going to hit me, she consented, I thought I was being honest, I didn't know the drugs were there. There is a limit to the ways in which you can be innocent. But if juries are not cynical, neither are they naive, and it is a rare jury that cannot detect where the truth lies when faced with the conflicting accounts of witnesses.

Because that is the advantage of a jury of 12: it reduces the chance that a mistake of fact will be made. It may be that one or two on the jury don't believe the witness or the defendant but that all 12 will be wrong is unlikely. Those who argue for trial by judge will have to accept that judges make mistakes and they are not infallible. But what if the judge makes a mistake of fact, chooses to believe the wrong witness, one that only a minority of the jurors would have believed? There is no remedy for that kind of mistake.

There is another powerful reason why trial by jury is necessary. In this age of mass media, most people derive their knowledge of what goes on in a court from what they read in the paper and see on television. But no newspaper report or TV item can possibly convey all the detail and subtlety of the hours of evidence given in court. An editing process is taking place: even the most impartial reporter has to filter the evidence. If all that citizens know of the criminal justice system is what they read in the papers and see on TV, they are going to get a misleading impression of how it works and that misleading impression can corrode their faith in the system.

You may wonder when you read the newspaper report of a case how a jury could have arrived at its verdicts, but you will only have heard a fraction of the evidence that the jury heard. When Frances Inglis and Kay Gilderdale were tried for unlawfully killing their children, there was fierce public debate about the merits of the prosecutions, but the only people who heard all the evidence were the jurors, and the differing verdicts reflected the differing evidence in two cases that were superficially similar.

How often was I asked in the aftermath of the Munir Hussain trial whether the law on self-defence was out of touch with the public view, despite the fact that 12 members of the public sitting on the jury heard all the evidence, including the facts of the burglary and the characters of the participants, and were sure that the defendants had gone beyond the bounds of self-defence?

By bringing ordinary citizens into the system and placing them at the very heart of the decision-making process, trial by jury exposes the criminal justice system to their scrutiny while ensuring they gain first-hand experience of how that system works. Trial by jury helps the criminal justice system reflect the values and standards of the general public. It's vital for the health of the criminal justice system that citizens participate in it and it is vital for democracy that they do, which might explain why politicians are always seeking to limit that participation.

At the start of every criminal trial, the jurors take an oath to try the defendant "and give a true verdict according to the evidence". What last week's report shows beyond reasonable doubt is that is exactly what juries do and, for all our sakes, they must be allowed to carry on doing it.

More comment Topics
UK criminal justice Trial by jury
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+
Reuse this content
Advertisement

View all comments >
Kay, Tema 8 years ago

Aware ! Ace do you remember that slogan? Thanks for your honesty. You didn't fall for the offer to be a judge for a gd reason and that's a mark of a Christian. You don't have to lead yourself into temptation with eyes wide o ...
read full comment

Aware ! Ace do you remember that slogan? Thanks for your honesty. You didn't fall for the offer to be a judge for a gd reason and that's a mark of a Christian. You don't have to lead yourself into temptation with eyes wide open only only to now ask God to deliver you from evil@

As far as I'm concerned this Anas video & earlier ones shd set us, especially those who're followers of Christ to start asking themselves, "How does God's video of me to date looks like? ". Let's remember that before God, sin is about omission & commission; anything that displeases Him. Not taking care of your family as a father/mother is sinful murder. Being lackadaisical about your assigned job is sinfully as taking a bribe.
I suggest that all of us, Ghanaians should sincerely asked God to forgive us & resolve to play our roles to please Him alone. Then & only then can we get the rot out of the system & benefit from the resources He endowed this nation. This is not utopian, it's achievable.
Kay, Tema 8 years ago

Correction to subject of earlier post

Correction to subject of earlier post
Freddy 8 years ago

This is a great (mastermind) all should learn from. Ace Ankomah, hence you are my mentor.

Am a Ghanaian, living abroad and very proud of you. I love you this is what all the brain dead commentators should learn from and to ...
read full comment

This is a great (mastermind) all should learn from. Ace Ankomah, hence you are my mentor.

Am a Ghanaian, living abroad and very proud of you. I love you this is what all the brain dead commentators should learn from and to bastardy's him.

I refused to become a judge because of my lifestyle – Ace Ankomah

Read Comments .st0{display:none;fill:#14BDD3;} .st1{display:none;} .st2{display:inline;fill:#FC0F0F;} .st3{display:inline;fill:#FFFFFF;} .st4{display:inline;fill:none;stroke:#000000;stroke-width:6;stroke-miterlimit:10;} Comments (69)

Read Comments Comments (69)