Lawyer Chris Ackumey says his allegation that he facilitated the bribing of Judges is enough evidence the Judiciary is corrupt. He has therefore asked the Judicial Council to “stop playing the truant” and investigate the matter. “I welcome any investigation into this matter. It even leads credence to the point I am making that there is corruption in the Judiciary because assuming that I even took part, was that not a corrupt act?” “That is an assurance or claim that such a thing has happened. So let them investigate if they find me culpable what ever has to be done to a person taking part in a criminal activity they should go ahead and advise themselves,” he said in an interview with Joy News’ Bernard Saibu. The lawyer, in solidarity to four others who have been hauled before the Judicial Council to substantiate allegations of corruption, himself made incriminating allegation against a Judge. On Joy FM’s Newsfile programme two weeks ago, Mr Ackumey stated he and four others had facilitated the payment of a GHS500.00 bribe in 2008 to a registrar to be given to a Judge. His pronouncements triggered an invitation from the Judicial Council asking him to provide, before the 31 May, 2011, evidence of the allegation he has made. Media reports suggested that the corrupt Judge named as evidence by Ackumey is dead. Mr Chris Ackumey in an interview with Joy News’ would not confirm or deny whether the Judge in question is alive or not. He however suspected persons within the Judicial Council must have leaked information to the media. The Judge, dead or not, Mr. Ackumey believes his evidence is incriminating enough to show the extent of corruption in the Judiciary. “That is matter whether the Judge is dead or not. To me it is like looking for an escape route?” he quizzed. He said his duty was to provide evidence of the allegation he made and he has done justice to that. “In the evidence, …I have mentioned the date the money was given, the registrar who received the money, the place that it was received, who was present when the money was given to the judge, so let them get into contact with these people and find out whether it is true or not,”he said. “Assuming the judge is even dead the evidence against the person must be overwhelming and convincing and I think what I have given them is so overwhelming and convincing. “They should go and investigate and stop playing the truant,” he rattled. But a constitutional lawyer Nana Asante Bediatuo in reaction described as surprising the sudden twist of the tale. He said with the known cliché that dead men don’t talk, it will be extremely impossible for the opinions of the Judge involved to be sought. He stated however that the case may still be followed through with the registrar who is alleged to have received the money on behalf of the judge. Nana Bediatuo said Mr Ackumey’s role in the whole saga is unfortunate given his position as a member of the Ghana Bar Association. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana