[2014]DLCA16202 • December 18, 2014 • Court of Appeal
MATHEW OHRBITZ- AMPIM vs. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
The appellant, a Senior High Court Registrar attached to the Community Tribunal in Koforidua, was removed from the Judicial Service following findings of an audit team alleging fraudulent misappropriation. He was summoned before a committee chaired by the Acting Judicial Secretary and others, where he was made to refund the alleged amount and subsequently dismissed. The appellant filed petitions challenging his dismissal, including one leading to a one-man committee chaired by a Court of Appeal Judge, which found the appellant admitted complicity. The appellant sought declarations and orders that his dismissal was unlawful and for payment of salaries and damages.
read moreJUDGMENT WELBOURNE JA: This is an appeal against the ruling of the High Court dated 27th February 2013. The facts of the case This appellant in this matter was a Senior High Court Registrar attached to the Community Tribunal in Koforidua. It is not in dispute that the appellant was removed from the Judicial Service arising out of findings of a team of auditors from the Judicial Service. It is not also in dispute that after the audit investigation the appellant was summoned before a committee made up of the then Acting Judicial Secretary, George Aryeeetey, George Fordjour and Amoah-Owusu. Further not in dispute is the fact that the appellant appeared before this body and after some deliberations he was made to refund the amounts he was alleged to have fraudulently misappropriated. After this he was removed from the Service. He filed several petitions against his removal, one of which led to the setting up of a one-man committee chaired by a then sitting Judge of the Court of Appe...