Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed disappointment in the Judiciary for being cited in the Auditor-General’s 2021 report as having committed some administrative breaches.

At least 16 past and current judges of the Superior Courts have been fingered by the Auditor-General for the purchase of state owned vehicles contrary to Regulation 158 of Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378).

This regulation provides that the Principal Spending Officer of a covered entity shall obtain the prior written approval of the Minister for the transfer, exchange, sale, donation, contribution-in-kind, trust and any other disposal of any vehicles of the covered entity.

Regulation 158 also states that any such disposal, lease and other action referred to in Sub-regulation 1 that is made without the written approval of the Minister, is void.

A report by the Auditor-General lists the Judges including recently retired Supreme Court Judges Yaw Appau and Julius Ansah as having acquired state-owned vehicles contrary to the provisions of this law.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Tuesday, Mr. Dafeamekpor said it is worrying that the Judiciary has been found wanting in this regard.

“It is worrying that even in the 2021 report, these infractions are being flagged and cited by the Auditor-General and what is more worrying is that the Judiciary is the one involved,” he said.

This, he explained is because the Judiciary determines breaches of law per the country’s constitution.

According to him, “so if the institution that determines the breach of law in itself engage in the breach of law. Then we are in a deep situation.”