GHANA DISMISSES JUDGES GUILTY OF BRIBERY CHARGES

Twenty judges and magistrates have been sacked in Ghana after they were convicted of bribery.

Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood said the dismissals followed a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption in the judiciary.

In September, a journalist revealed that he had evidence showing dozens of judges had demanded bribes to influence judgements in court cases.

The revelation shocked Ghanaians who packed cinemas to see his documentary.

Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood

Announcing the sackings, the chief justice said she wanted to assure the public that the judicial council, the regulatory body for judges, would take "prompt and resolute" action to "redeem" the image of the judiciary.

Judicial council secretary Justice Alex Poku Acheampong said some of the sacked judges had been stripped of their benefits. Ghana's Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood says she will not tolerate corruption.

However, the benefits of other judges had been retained, after they had shown show remorse and had apologised "profusely" for bringing the judiciary into disrepute, he added. Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas handed over nearly 500 hours of video evidence on tape to the chief justice in September. (BBC)