<<Print>>

Retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice William Atuguba has revealed how some individuals sometimes approached Judges of the Supreme Court to induce them for favourable judgment.

He also defended the court’s famous 2013 Election petition judgment that endorsed then President, John Mahama’s victory in the 2012 general election, saying the panel relied on divine guidance.

Ghana’s revered judiciary came under heavy public criticism after a documentary by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas revealed deep seated corruption involving top judges of the High Courts.

Addressing attendees to the Advent Lecture Series organized by the Catholic church in Accra, Justice Atuguba stated that he was surprised people could dare attempt to bribe judges of Ghana’s high courts.

“At that election petition was decided through prayer by the panel, well not young people. I’m 70 years old,I’m not a young man that’s why I’ve retired, some were older but nobody broke down throughout the 8 months after long hours of sitting. When the decision came there was total peace in the country. As for the vilifications, they’re unending and sometimes most painful, you can’t believe that some human beings are capable of diabolical behavior. I looked at it this way, this was a very hot issue that rocked this country by the grace of God he answered our prayers and things were done coolly, so why don’t I sacrifice my personal interest for the continuity of the peace so I left. Not that it’s not painful but God redresses evil in his own time.

“Apart from political challenges in the case I sat on. You can’t believe that some people will even dare try to induce supreme court judges with monies to decide cases in their favour.”