Avoid bias and deliver quality justice – Otumfuo tells Judges

The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has charged Judicial Judges to avoid bias and deliver quality justice in order to win the trust and confidence of the public to promote the image of the Judicial Service.

He said for the public to stop questioning the quality of justice delivered by the judges, they should be able to pass judgment without fear or favor because quality justice is essential component of the rule of law.

Speaking at the Annual Chief Justice’s Forum held at Golden Tulip Hotel Kumasi on Monday November 20, under the theme “Quality Judges, Delivering Quality Justice”, His Royal Majesty stated that whatever benchmarks Judges establish in pursuit of quality justice, prominence should be given expeditious disposal of case, “Justice delayed is justice denied”.

“If such judgments come from the courts, how can you prevent people from questioning the quality of justice delivered by our judges? Unfortunately for you, it takes only one case or every few cases for the quality of justice that you profess to deliver to be thrown into the winds. As you all aware, the case under reference took place in this capital where this year’s forum takes place and cannot be ignored,” Asantehene indicated.

“If someone steals a goat and is fined GHS 5,000.00, and additionally slapped with a jail term, how can people who invade a courtroom, over power the security, release suspects and put the life of the judge and staff in danger, and as their punishment they are fined only GHS1,800 and are discharged. Has justice been served and if even it has been served, the question may be asked: whether the quality of justice was served: Quality justice for whom?” Otumfuo quizzed.

The Ashanti Monarch noted that he has learnt that quality is an established element in the system of court managed and control. Countries such as Sweden and Netherlands have developed and implemented quality management systems to improve judicial quality which deserve to be emulated.

“The reality of life is that justice should be regarded as being administered on behalf of the people of this country. The 1992 constitution, Art of 125 emphasized this by the provision in Article 125 (1) which states that: justice emulates from the people and shall be administered in the name of the Republic by the judiciary. The people on whose behalf you are administering justice must always be taken into account. To ignore us amounts to failure to deliver justice because you cannot judge yourselves,” Otumfuo admonished.

For her part, the Chief Justice, Lady Justice Sophia A. B Akufo charged the Judges to portray good character.

“Judge must have a positive reputation in every professional and residential community, his or her background must be free from any reference of immorality,” she indicated.

Source: otecnewsghana.com/ Kwaku Anane Jnr