On January 20, 2016 President Dramani Mahama has ordered the removal of three Justices of the High Court on grounds of stated misbehaviour.
The Justices involved, Justice John Ajet Nassam, Justice Ernest Obimpeh and Justice Ringo Cass Akurugu Azumah have since been sacked from office.
The indictment of the Justices follows the Presodent’s acceptance of the recommendations made by the Five-Member Impeachment Committee which Justice of the Supreme Court chaired that investigated the conduct of the Justices in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 constitution.
In a release signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong to Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, two Justices were among the High Court Judged against whom TigerEyepi submitted a petition for removal from office on grounds of stated misbehaviour.
Contained in the release also was details of two Petitions forwarded in August, 2015 to the Lady Chief Justice in which one was in respect of 12 High Court Judges while the other petition was on 22 Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates. Contained in the petition against the High Court Judges was request to initiate Impeachment proceedings against the Judges in accordance with Article 146 of the constitution.
Justice R.C Azumah was also removed on the President’s order on grounds of incompetence and stated misbehaviour as several complaints of absenteeism were filed against him by users of the court and a leading firm. The Justice was asked to appear before a Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Council for Superior Court Judges after a formal petition was submitted to the Honourable Lady Chief Justice on January 8, 2015 also complaining of the Judged absenteeism.
Upon removal of Justice Azumah, he is expected to hand over all official properties in his possession including his Bungalow, Official Government vehicle, Dockets and Record Books to the Judicial Secretary.