‘Goat judge’ ordered to proceed on leave

The Akyem Swedru Circuit Court judge who gave an order for a goat thief to be paraded on the streets of the town has been asked to proceed on leave.

A source close to the court in Akyem Swedru, who disclosed this said the decision was to enable the Judicial Service to conduct in-depth investigation into the conduct of the judge.

In a sentence reminiscent of punishments associated with local shrines, the judge, Mr Emmanuel Brew, on August 21, 2015 ordered the thief to hang the stolen animal around his neck, together with a placard with the inscription, “I am a goat thief”.

The convict, Stephen Ohene Agyekum, was paraded through the principal streets of the town under police escort and under the close watch of many residents of the town, who cast invective at him.

Resentment

The judge’s action has been condemned by some lawyers, who said that such punishment had not been prescribed under the laws of Ghana.

Last week, the Judicial Secretary, Mr Justice Alex B. Opoku-Acheampong, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said the matter had been referred to a committee for investigation.

He said the investigation was to unravel what actually transpired in the courtroom at Akyem Swedru.



source :citifmonline