Embattled High Court judge, Justice Paul Uutter Dery, has withdrawn two of his suits from the Supreme Court against the Chief Justice's Special Judge, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Mrs. Sika Akwaaba Addo, counsel for Justice Dery after being told that the best way to deal with the case was through administrative procedure, subsequently withdrew the cases.
The cases which were consolidated included the dismissed contempt application against Chief Executive Officer of Excellence in Broadcasting, Mr. Nathaniel Kwabena Anokye Adisi, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and three others. The substantive case would be heard at the High Court.
The panel presided over by Justice Julius Ansah struck the case out as withdrawn, while sitting was adjourned to today.
Background
Justice Dery wants the Supreme Court to disqualify Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who has been assigned to hear all cases related to the Anas corruption scandal, from hearing his legal suits. Justice Dery claims Justice Torkornoo "exhibited bias or a real likelihood of bias when she dismissed," his contempt case against Anas and four others on September 29 without giving him a hearing.
He said notwithstanding the said application for both interlocutory and perpetual injunction, Anas and his agents went ahead to screen the video publicly prompting the contempt action against them.
In his latest action, Justice Dery said Justice Torkornoo "breached the audi alteram partem [listen to the other side] principle of natural justice when she dismissed the contempt action suo moto (on her own).
Interdiction
In a related development, the High Court Registrar whose actions led to Justice Torkonoo dismissing Justice Dery's contempt application has been interdicted.
However, the leadership of the Judicial Service Staff Association (JUSAG) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to management to reinstate her with immediate effect.
A statement copied to the DAILY HERITAGE yesterday said, “The leadership of JUSAG has considered the interdiction of our member, Ms Catherin De Souza. The position of management being that, in view of the seriousness of the allegation which relates to your core duties as Registrar, management has decided to interdict you pending the determination of the matter.”
The statement said “We, respectfully, disagree in strong terms the position taken by management. We believe that the severity attached to the said act or allegation is too excessive.
“We, therefore, demand the immediate restoration of our member, Ms. Catherin De Souza. If by Wednesday, 27 January 2016, nothing is heard about the restoration of our member, the association shall advice itself, accordingly, under the law,” it warned.
JUSAG further said “We, in strong terms, request management to be considerate about its human resource, especially, the experienced staff to eschew any form of intimidation.”
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