Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo says widespread claims of corruption within Ghana’s judiciary are largely based on perception rather than proven reality.
Speaking on PM Express on Joy News with host George Wiafe, she addressed concerns about declining public confidence in the courts.
Asked whether the belief that the judiciary is corrupt reflects perception or reality, Justice Akuffo responded, “I would like to think it is a perception.”
Her remarks come amid persistent public claims that court cases can be influenced through intermediaries who promise access to judges. When presented with scenarios in which individuals boast about securing favourable judgments through payments, she acknowledged that such talk exists but suggested it does not necessarily reflect the truth.
“You may hear some of these comments outside, and sometimes that’s because clearly, the case is a lousy one, so you know where it will go,” she said.
Justice Akuffo recounted an incident from her time on the Supreme Court, where she was informed that someone claimed to have “bought” all the judges in a particular case. According to her, the person allegedly said payments had been made to her colleagues and that something should be conveyed to her as well.
Her reaction, she said, was blunt. She rejected the claim outright and described the alleged scheme as illogical, especially given the figures involved. The case in question, she explained, was valued at a little over GH¢70 million, yet the person allegedly claimed to have paid GH¢10 million to each of six other judges on a seven-member panel — amounting to GH¢60 million.
“You don’t chase after 70 million with 60 million,” she remarked, questioning the sense in such an arrangement.
Justice Akuffo said she advised that if any money had indeed been paid, it should be retrieved. She maintained that the claims were unfounded and described them as attempts to create false impressions.
“You know, people talk, and sometimes it is not true,” she said, adding that in that particular instance, the story was baseless.
While acknowledging that allegations of corruption are difficult to disprove, she struck an optimistic tone. “Corruption is like adultery. Only the two people know what they’ve been up to. Everybody else can suspect,” she said.
Despite ongoing suspicions that sometimes surround the courts, Justice Akuffo said she prefers to give people the benefit of the doubt and believes many of the claims lack substance.
