Jasikan Circuit Court judge dismissed for misconduct in divorce case
The Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has terminated the services of Judge Alfred Kwambena Asiedu from the Judicial Service due to his inappropriate behavior in a divorce case he presided over.
Singari Diana Sadia filed a petition against the judge on January 16, accusing him of abusing his power, engaging in sexual exploitation, maliciously prosecuting, and behaving improperly.
The petition was then forwarded to the disciplinary committee of the Judiciary Service, which conducted an investigation and recommended that the judge be dismissed due to his misconduct.
In a letter from the Chief Justice, the judge has been instructed to surrender all official possessions, including his official vehicle, case files, and record books, to the Judicial Secretary.
Below is the revised letter from the Chief Justice to the judge:
I am writing in reference to the petition lodged against you by Singari Diana Sadia on January 16, 2023, alleging abuse of power, sexual exploitation, malicious prosecution, and impropriety.
According to the Disciplinary Procedures of the Service, you were summoned to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the Judicial Council, which was tasked with investigating the allegations made against you.
After conducting a thorough investigation into the matter at hand, the Disciplinary Committee found evidence of your misconduct as a Judge. It was established that you engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the Petitioner, who had a pending divorce case before you. Additionally, the Disciplinary Committee substantiated the claims of abuse of power and malicious prosecution, as you were found to have unjustifiably caused the arrest and prosecution of the Petitioner. Consequently, the Disciplinary Committee recommended your dismissal.
The report of the Disciplinary Committee was subsequently presented to the Judicial Council, which, during its 279th meeting on October 25, 2023, adopted the report and declared that your actions constituted Stated Misbehavior.
In accordance with article 151 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, all members of the Judicial Council present at the said meeting resolved that you should be removed from your position due to Stated Misbehavior.
Therefore, effective immediately, you are relieved of your duties as a Circuit Court Judge. You are instructed to promptly hand over all official belongings, including your official vehicle, case files, and record books, to the Judicial Secretary.
A copy of this letter will be sent to the Director of Human Resources, who is requested to ensure your immediate removal from the Service’s payroll.