Let's strengthen judicial system to meet challenges- CJ
Man, accomplice murder businesswoman
Accra (Greater Accra) 05 October 2001- The acting Chief Justice, Mr Justice E.K. Wiredu, on Thursday underscored the need for members of the Judiciary to strengthen the capacity of the judicial system to meet the exciting challenges of the 21st century.
He said judges must respond positively to the needs of society not only for an independent and impartial judiciary, but an equally efficient and effective system.
Mr Justice Wiredu made the call at the opening of the annual general meeting of the Association of Judges and Magistrates of Ghana (AJMG) in Accra. The two-day conference is on the theme: "Judicial Independence And Efforts Being Made For A Change And A Better Judicial Service."
Justice Wiredu said while impartiality and independence are generally accepted as necessary conditions for the dispensation of justice, effectiveness and efficiency are issues that are taken for granted.
He urged the judiciary to make strenuous efforts to acquire "a little knowledge beyond what is now at your disposal" to help address those issues. The Acting Chief Justice said he was optimistic that the Continuing Judicial Education programme would do the best within its resources to assist members of the judiciary to "explore new areas of the law which are likely to be in contention before us as judges."
Mr Justice Wiredu re-visited the question of unnecessary delay of cases and advised the judges not to allow requests for unnecessary adjournments from counsel.
In doing so, however, he cautioned them to note the manner in which they relate to counsel appearing before them. "It is of utmost importance that you treat them with courtesy, bearing in mind that together you are partners in the quest for justice.
"In your effort to correct counsel, you should do it in a way not to incur their displeasure by exposing them to ridicule".
Mr Justice Wiredu said the abolition of the tribunal system would be done in phases to minimise the cost and inconvenience involved.
Mr Justice S.A. Brobbey, an Appeal Court Judge, urged members of the judiciary to avail themselves of opportunities to acquire computer knowledge and skill to be able to fit into the information age.
Conference participants were of the view that with the exception of the juvenile tribunals, the abolition of the general tribunal system would help speed up the administration of justice.
GRi…/
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Tarkwa (Western Region) 05 October 2001-A Tarkwa Circuit Court on Wednesday remanded Kofi Asomaning, 30, a galamsey operator, in prison custody for allegedly killing Mrs Mary Agyeman, a businesswoman at Tarkwa.
In the dock with him was Kofi Nyamekye, 18, a driver's mate. They were charged for murder and abetment, respectively.
Their pleas were not taken and would reappear on November 1. Prosecuting Police Inspector Constance Addo told the court that Asomaning and Nyamekye live at Takunanso, near Tarkwa.
She said Asomaning was on July 31, discharged by a Koforidua High Court for want of prosecution after allegedly killing his grandmother and he returned to Takunanso.
Asomaning used to patronise Mrs Agyeman's shop and on May 14 while she was listening to 1900 hours Ghana Television newscast at a nearby shop, he went and called her under the pretext that he wanted to buy some items.
When they got to the shop Asomaning allegedly clubbed Mrs Agyeman to death and stole some of her merchandise, packed them into a suitcase and hired a taxi to Adiembra, near Assin Fosu where he and Nyamekye intended to sell the items.
Inspector Addo said on August 8 Asomaning shot a taxi driver with a locally manufactured pistol at Adiembra in an attempt to rob him of his cab but the driver shouted and people came to his rescue and arrested him.
However, Nyamekye managed to escape to Takunanso while Asomaning was transferred to Cape Coast Prisons.
At Takunanso, Nyamekye went to the wife of Asomaning to collect the remaining part of the items that were stolen from Mrs Agyeman's shop but a quarrel ensued and the Tarkwa Police arrested him.
During interrogation Nyamekye told the Police that it was Asomaning, who killed the businesswoman and he was, therefore, brought from the Cape Coast Prisons to stand trial at Tarkwa.
The court has issued a warrant for the arrest of the wife of Asomaning, who has absconded. Mrs Agyeman, 42, a mother of five, has since been buried.
GRi…/
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