I’ll accept a goat as gift from a friend – Chief Justice nominee

Chief Justice nominee, Justice Anin Yeboah, says he will accept a ‘goat’ as a gift because the ‘giver’ may be a well-known person or a good friend of his.

The Chief Justice nominee sees nothing wrong in taking presents from individuals in the discharge of his duties as a Chief Justice provided the person is a good friend.

“I know honourable member very well and If he gives me a goat, I’ll take it”, the nominee answered in response to a question asked by Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, during the vetting by the Appointments Committee on Monday.

“That is a gift in the cultural setting so there is nothing wrong accepting it”, Justice Anin-Yeboah reiterated.

Several judges from the lower were dismissed a few years ago after an investigative piece by Anas Aremeyaw Anas exposed them for accepting bribes and gifts from persons whose cases were before them.

Among some of the gifts given to the corrupt judges were goats, thus, the Minority Leader’s question.

According to the Code of Conduct for Judges and Magistrates, Rule 5(5): “Neither  judges  nor  members  of  their  families  residing  in  their households  shall  accept  a  substantial  gift,  bequest, favour,  or loan from anyone except as follows:

(a) Judges may accept gifts incident to a public testimonial to them; books supplied by publishers on a  complimentary basis for official use; or invitations to judges and their spouses to attend bar-related functions or activities devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice”.

Also, Rule 5(5)(b), stipulates that: “Judges or members of their families residing in their households may accept any other gifts, bequests, favour, or loan only if the donor is not a party or other person whose interests have come or are likely to come before the judge”.

Additionally, Rule 5(5)(c), said: “Judges or members of their families residing in their households may accept any other gifts, bequests, favour, or loan only if the donor is not a party or other person whose interests have come or are likely to come before the judge”

Rule 5(5)(d) says: “A  gift,  award or benefit incident to the business, profession or other separate activity of a  spouse or other family member residing in the judge’s household,  including gifts,  awards, and benefits for the use of both the spouse or other family member and the judge  (as spouse or family member),  provided the gift, award or benefit could not reasonably be perceived as intended to influence the judge in the performance of judicial duties”.

Below is a video of the vetting: