The Judicial Service of Ghana (JSG) has dismissed claims that recent transfers of judges were intended to disrupt cases nearing judgment.
The service has described such allegations as misleading and unfounded.
In a press statement issued on December 3, 2024, the JSG responded to reports published by The Herald newspaper and other media outlets, which suggested that the Chief Justice’s decision to transfer Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori was meant to frustrate the Special Prosecutor’s anti-corruption efforts.
The reports claimed the judge was transferred just as she was set to deliver judgment in the criminal trial of Alex Kwabena Sarfo Kantanka, the failed Juaben Municipal Chief Executive nominee, accused of bribing Assembly members to approve his nomination.
The JSG clarified that the transfers are part of routine administrative procedures aimed at improving judicial efficiency.
“Administratively, transfer of judges is done annually and when necessitated by circumstances related to the judges or the courts they serve in,” the statement read.
The Judicial Service explained that Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori’s transfer from Kumasi to Accra was part of the 2024 legal year’s reassignment of over 20 judges across all court levels.
The statement stressed that procedures are in place to ensure that judges on transfer complete outstanding judgments and trials nearing conclusion.
“Justice Priscilla Dikro Ofori has submitted a Case Completion Plan and has been authorized to deliver all outstanding judgments and rulings,” the statement said.
The JSG added that the judge presented the required documentation on November 29, 2024, enabling her to continue handling cases that were close to completion.
The JSG stated that judicial transfers are not designed to interfere with ongoing cases.
“Transfers are not done or intended to truncate cases,” the statement affirmed, urging the public to rely on accurate information regarding judicial operations.
The statement also called on media outlets to cross-check their facts before publication. “The Judicial Service entreats members of the media to painstakingly verify information to provide factual and balanced reports to the public,” it added, offering contact information for the Public Relations Office for clarification on such matters.
The Judicial Service reiterated its commitment to transparency and efficient administration of justice, encouraging the public to dismiss misleading narratives about routine judicial transfers.
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