OSP Request To Remove Judge From Cases Not Withdrawn
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has fought back claims that its request to have Justice Edward Twum recused from its cases has been withdrawn.
In a notice, the OSP said the claim was false.
The news spread like wildfire when Justice Twum on Wednesday, October 18 said the OSP had withdrawn the application to have him recused from all its cases in court.
He made the statement in an open court but shortly after that, the OSP released a notice discrediting the judge’s claims.
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor has not withdrawn its request to the Chief Justice for the recusal and removal of his Lordship Justice Edward Twum from all cases pending before him involving the OSP.”
It thereby urged the public to disregard it.
Reacting to the development, Investigative journalist and freelancer Manasseh Azure Awuni said the conduct of the judge had the propensity to soil public impression about the judiciary.
“The Chief Justice and the Judicial Service must explain to Ghanaians why the judge said in open court that the petition against him had been withdrawn when that information is false. They should not encourage the dangerous impression that the judiciary is fighting the OSP!”
Recusal
The Special Prosecutor (OSP) on October 12 petitioned the Chief Justice (CJ), Gertrude Torkornoo to remove Justice Twum from all his cases pending in court.
In a statement, the Office said the request is premised on a “well-founded” belief that Justice Edward Twum is prejudiced against Kissi Agyebeng, the country’s Special Prosecutor (SP) and his Office.
“The request is grounded on the OSP’s well-founded belief that Justice Edward Twum appears to be highly prejudiced against the OSP and the person of the Special Prosecutor.”
It affirmed, “Consequently, as it stands, the OSP would not and cannot be reasonably expected to be parties to proceedings before the said judge.”
Encounter With Justice Twum
Justice Edward Twum presided over the High Court where the OSP was seeking an order to continue freezing the assets of the former Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah in August.
He refused to grant the order on the basis that the application was filed out of time; the OSP could not ascertain the owner of the assets; and the application was based on public sentiments.
The court then ordered the OSP to return some seized amounts of money including a ¢2.8 million and $590,000 found in the home of Cecilia Dapaah and unfreeze her bank accounts and investments.
The OSP in a statement on September 1 disagreed with the judge, however, it complied with the order.
After complying with the order on September 5, the OSP evoked its powers again to retake and unfreeze the said assets.
