Security beefed up for judges under threat

Page 3: Daily Graphic, December 19, 2008.
Story: Albert K. Salia
THE National Security Secretariat says it has beefed up security of three judges whose lives have come under threat.
The Deputy National Security Co-ordinator, Mr Frederick Anarfi told the Daily Graphic yesterday that the investigations were ongoing with no individual or group of persons in mind.
He said the security agencies were conducting the investigations in their legitimate line of duty.
Mr Anarfi gave the assurance that the security agencies would do everything possible to ensure a peaceful run-off on December 28, 2008 and a successful hand-over to the new administration.
He, however, said the investigators were pursuing all other clues including telephone numbers.
He said the National Security Secretariat has not taken the matter lightly and would do everything within its power to avert any mishap.
Mr Anarfi reminded those who had received threats on their lives to report to the police and take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their property.
He said the concern of the security apparatus was the history of the judiciary where some judges were murdered.
Mr Anarfi said it was, therefore, the responsibility of the security agencies to protect the lives of judicial staff and all Ghanaians for that matter.
Security sources said one of the judges told the Daily Graphic that a man who expressed interest in her daughter gave indication of the motive of his relationship with the daughter by asking her questions about where her parents lived and their daily iterinary.
The sources said the daughter became suspicious of the questions and later sent a text message to the man not to call her again.
According to them, after sending the message, the man’s phone number had gone dead.
In the case of the second judge, the threat was issued through the judge’s cousin and brother warning her to be “careful or blame herself after the December 28, 2008’ run-off”.
On the part of the third judge, the security sources said someone allegedly went to inform him that his name was among the hit list.
They said the informant indicated that there were plans to purge the judiciary when the next administration took over the reins of power in January 2009.
The security sources said all the three judges indicated that although they were disturbed by those reports, they had entrusted their lives into the hands of God.
They made it clear that they took an oath to dispense justice without fear or favour, ill-will or affection and that affirmation was always done in the name of God and accordig to them God’s abounding grace shall protect them.