Opinions of Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Columnist: Adofo, Rockson

Asantehene Joins the Chorus Condemning the Judicial Rot in Ghana

– Good one there!

Yes, any right thinking person with much love for their people and nation, will not hesitate a split of a second to add their voice to the chorus expressing disgust at the exposed gargantuan corruption within the Ghana judiciary. I am extremely happy that Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has realised that judicial corruption poses the greatest danger to the maintenance of peace and the development of any nation.

When the judiciary become insanely corrupt as has been established and exposed by the renowned ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, it gradually leads to the breakdown of law in the country. Breakdown of law leads to increase in crimes and increase in crimes leads to people being robbed of not only their peace of mind, but also, their lives and properties. Just look at the knock-on effect of judicial corruption on a nation and her citizens.

When corruption is masterminded and spearheaded by the judiciary, it emboldens criminals to commit crimes without fear, but with impunity. This is because they can grease the palms of the judges they will be arraigned before, with money, goats, yams and you just mention it. This has been proved "fiili fiili and yaagani yaagani" (nakedly) by Anas.

Going back to Asantehene, I will not only let him simply get away with his public rebuke of the judges caught in the web of corruption, but also, have him examined his conscience if by his own actions, he has never contributed to corrupting any judge in Ghana. I will not have him come public to act as if he was innocent, although overflowing with corruption and has both his hands deeply embedded in judicial corruption.

How can he meddle in the affairs of other Divisions (States as known within the Asante Confederacy or Asanteman), takes prejudiced decisions and feels strongly boastful that no court in Ghana can reverse such preposterous decisions so taken? This can only be done where he has wherewithal to influence the judges corruptly.

When one checks the YouTube video links below, where Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II presided over Kumawu chieftaincy case brought before him for adjudication, one will better understand the point I am trying to make. The "horse" (figuratively Kumawuhemaa) from her own mouth said she had financially influenced or bribed some four Kumawu kingmakers with intent to get them elect one Dr Yaw Sarfo, her family member and candidate, as Kumawuhene-elect.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=asantehene+involved+in+corruption

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=is+there+any+one+man+bigger

Bribery is frowned upon not only by conventions as written in Warrington Notes at Article 13, but also, by the 1992 Ghana Constitution. It is made punishable as it is vividly expounded under Ghana Criminal Code 1960 (Act 29).

If upon all these, Asantehene has the shameless audacity to declare that no court in Ghana can ever reverse the decisions he takes in the capacity as the occupant of the Golden Stool, no matter how prejudicial they are, then God safe Ghana. This can only be done in a situation where he has somehow corrupted or intimidated the judges or else, he cannot have his way as he presumes.

I have written extensively on how lawless and a usurper Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is vis-à-vis his involvement in Kumawu chieftaincy goes. He has no right to involve himself in the Kumawu chieftaincy affairs the way he is doing, a purported Asante Overlord.

Today, I am only interested in asking him not to play any acts of hypocrisy in the unfolding judicial corruption. In his heart of hearts, he is not happy that these judges have been exposed. For now that the public is on their case, it will only be the most stupid judge without common sense that will take bribe or allowed themselves to be influenced absurdly by whomever.

How will his prejudicial decisions stand? On what legs will his biased decisions made even without authority stand?

Time changes. People are educated. People have been made bold and confident by the knowledge they have acquired through formal or non formal education. People are no longer scared of, and they cannot easily be bullied by whomsoever - Asantehene must please take note. The voice of the people shall always prevail in the end no matter what.

All those who have sought, or do seek, to sell justice to the higher bidder in Ghana, regardless of such bidders being the guilty party, must bury their heads in their palms in shame.

Asantehene should go public to apologise to all those he has offended by his dishonest actions, especially Kumawuman people and particularly, Rockson Adofo.

"The law is no respecter of persons". Once the judges learn this and decide to be fair without allowing anyone to intimidate them by the sheer power of their position, or let their heart and stomach rather than their head dictate to them, all shall be well with Ghana; the poor innocent person can then have justice.

I don't know how far this is true. However, it is the public perception that had it not been Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's needless intervention, there will today not be this group of highly corrupt, clueless, incompetent and unreasonably tribal zealots sitting as the leaders of Ghana. Did he, or did he not, intervene in the Supreme Court's declaration of judgment on Election 2012 petition? Let God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit be his judges.

There should be no more oxymoronic public behaviour by Asantehene on the unfolding judicial corruption saga, for Ghanaians are not stupid.

Rockson Adofo