Alfred Kwabena Asiedu, the former judge of Jasikan Circuit Court facing accusations of sexual exploitation and malicious prosecution during a divorce case, has filed a lawsuit against the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service. He is asking the High Court in Accra to declare his removal from the position of Circuit Court judge, carried out by Chief Justice Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, as unlawful. The suit includes a demand for the court to nullify his dismissal, contending that the Disciplinary Committee and the Judicial Council were unjust in recommending such action against him. The lawsuit states, “A declaration that both the Disciplinary Committee and the Judicial Council acted beyond their legal authority when they concluded malicious prosecution against the Applicant, and a declaration that the findings of these two bodies represent a clear legal error on the record and should be annulled by the supervisory powers of this Court.”
Recently, the Chief Justice instructed Alfred Kwabena Asiedu to surrender all official assets, including his official vehicle, dockets, and record books, to the Judicial Secretary. The directive also mandated the removal of his name from the Judicial Service’s payroll due to his termination of employment.
The former judge’s removal stemmed from a complaint lodged by Singari Diana Sadia on January 16, accusing him of various misconducts, including abuse of power, sexual exploitation, malicious prosecution, and impropriety in a divorce case where she was involved.
The petition was forwarded to the Judiciary Service’s disciplinary committee for investigation, resulting in a recommendation for the judge’s dismissal. The Judicial Council adopted the findings, leading to the Chief Justice’s subsequent actions.
Here is an excerpt from the Chief Justice’s dismissal letter:
“I write in reference to the petition against you, dated 16th January 2023, accusing you of abuse of power, sexual exploitation, malicious prosecution, and impropriety.
Following the Disciplinary Procedures, you were invited to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Council to address the allegations. The Committee found evidence of misconduct, including an improper relationship with the petitioner involved in a divorce case before you. Additionally, abuse of power and malicious prosecution were established as you were found to have unjustifiably caused the arrest and prosecution of the petitioner.
Consequently, the Disciplinary Committee recommended your dismissal, a decision later adopted by the Judicial Council during its 279th meeting on 25th October 2023. Your actions were deemed Stated Misbehaviour under article 151 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
As a result, you are hereby removed from office as a Circuit Court Judge with immediate effect. Kindly surrender all official properties, including your official vehicle, dockets, and record books, to the Judicial Secretary promptly. Your name will be expunged from the Service’s payroll immediately.”
This action reflects the commitment to upholding integrity and accountability within the judicial system.
