* Taxpayers footed bills for family vacays, not security!
* CJ ‘owes’ $14,000, auditors demand cash back!
* Daughter’s flight upgraded, costing thousands more!
A bombshell audit report has ripped open a can of worms at the Judicial Service, revealing that current Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo and her predecessor, Justice Anin Yeboah, allegedly blew taxpayer cash on luxury family holidays instead of vital security details.
The explosive document, seen by this paper, accuses the top judges of splashing public funds on trips abroad with their spouses and even the current CJ’s daughter!
Auditors are demanding the recovery of a staggering GHc261,890.00 and US$30,000.00, threatening to slap the Judicial Secretary with a hefty surcharge if the cash isn’t returned.
The report addressed to the Judicial Secretary titled “Draft management letter on the accounts of Judicial Service (JS) for the period January to December 2023”, was undertaken in accordance with Article 187, clause 2 of the 1992 constitution and section 11, subsection 1 of the Audit Service Act, 200 (Act 584).
It covered review of cash management, procurement, transport management, payroll and inventory management, assets management, internal control systems review and assessment of the implementation of prior year audit recommendations.
CJ’s Tanzania Trip: Cash Chaos!
The report claims Justice Torkornoo took her husband, Francis Kofi Torkornoo, to Tanzania, racking up over GHc75,000 in flight costs. Shockingly, she allegedly ditched her security detail for her hubby!
Even more shocking, the auditors allege that the CJ took $14,000 in cash for the trip and has yet to return it!
“We noted…that the Service granted accountable imprest amounting to $14,000 to the Honourable Lady Chief Justice…however the Honourable Lady failed to retire [it],” the report states.
Daughter’s Luxury Upgrade!
On a separate trip to the USA, the CJ’s daughter, Sarah Edem Amiga Torkornoo, allegedly had her ticket upgraded to a higher class, costing an extra GHc9,552.00! Her total ticket cost was GHc109,482.00, and she received a $10,000 per diem.
Ex-CJ’s UK Jaunt!
The previous Chief Justice, Anin Yeboah, is also in the hot seat, accused of taking his wife, Phyllis Ofori, to the UK, again allegedly leaving his security behind. His wife’s ticket cost GHc68,750.00, and she received a $14,000 per diem.
Auditors slammed the judges for “non-adherence of provisions in laws and policies” which “could lead to abuse of office and financial loss to the state.”
The Judicial Secretary has been told to ensure the money is repaid, or face the consequences.
