Four Judges who have been nominated by the President to be elevated to the Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared before the appointments committee for vetting. They are Mr. Justice Anin-Yeboah, Mr. Justice Jones Dotse, Mr. Justice R.T Owusu and Mr. Justice Paul Baffor-Bonney. Two of the four of the President’s nominee who were vetted by the Appointment Committee as judges to the Supreme Court, have advocated the retention of the death penalty.
The two are Miss Ruth Constance Owusu and Mr. Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie. However, Mr. Justice Jones Dotse and Mr. Justice Anim Yeboah called for its abolition. According to Miss Justice Owusu, before an accused person is sentenced to death, the convict must have passed through the due process of the law. In her view, a murderer is likely to kill again if he or she is not sentenced to death on perceived corruption n the judiciary. Miss Justice Owusu dismissed it saying such perception is based on delay in the justice delivery system.
For his part, Mr. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said the incidence of armed robbery in the country demands that heavy prison sentences are imposed to serve as deterrent. He therefore endorsed the retention of the death penalty. Asked who he has been nominated over his senior judging by his relatively youthful age, he said he is qualified to be appointed a Supreme Court Judge following the number of years he has served on the bench. On Mr. Justice Dotse, he said he abhors capital punishment and called for its removal from the statute books.
Commenting on the law of causing financial loss to the state, he said though it has caused a negative back lash, and cognizance must be taken of the antecedents leading to the passage of the law. Mr. Justice Anim Yeboah shared similar sentiment. He said the repeal of the law should come from parliament. Mr. Justice Anim Yeboah confirmed that perceived corruption in the judiciary is no longer a perception but a reality. He hoped the Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill when passed would reduce the delay in the court.
