The Chief Justice may issue a warrant to judges to sit on any day

The Judicial Service says Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has the administrative authority to issue a warrant for judges to sit and try cases at any time.

The Service regretted that the implementation of administrative measures intended to promote the good administration of justice had been misinterpreted by some of the media.

A statement released and signed by Judge Cynthia Pamela A. Addo, judicial secretary in Accra, said.

The statement follows public reactions to the Chief Justice’s reassignment of two High Court judges.

“The Judicial Service is deeply concerned about the publication in certain sections of the media ascribing bad and inappropriate grounds to the recent legitimate exercise by the Chief Justice of administrative powers of the reassignment of two High Court judges.”

The statement said that “the Chief Justice, by letter dated December 10, 2020, transferred Judge Charles A. Wilson from the High Court in Tamale, where there were currently three High Court judges, to the High Court de Bolgatanga, which has two high courts with a single judge. “

He explained that Justice Wilson’s transfer was to take effect from January 6 of next year, when the Christmas vacation would have ended and that he had been ordered to start work on January 11, 2021 until upon his release to Tamale, which was his station.

According to the statement, the Chief Justice used his administrative powers to transfer Justice Wilson to respond to a pressing administrative challenge compromising the effective delivery of justice in the region.

The statement said that in the case of Judge Douglas Seidu, his assignment to Bolgatanga upon his appointment was restricted due to his previous practice as a lawyer in that city.

“It was this situation which necessitated the transfer of Judge Wilson to Bolgatanga to fill the void, until a permanent replacement was made,” he added.

The statement said: “So far, no warrant has been issued to Judge Seidu to sit in Tamale from his post as Sunyani.”

He said the Service has assured the public of its commitment to uphold the rule of law at all times in the exercise of its mandate.

GNA