PHOTO: Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, Court of Appeal Judge
In a bombshell move that could rock Ghana’s judiciary to its core, Mrs Serwaa Axim, wife of convicted former MASLOC Operations Manager Daniel Axim, has demanded the removal of Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe celebrated for her handling of high-profile cases is now under fire for alleged collusion with prosecutors to orchestrate Mr Axim’s conviction and keep him behind bars.
In an explosive petition directed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Mrs Axim accuses Justice Asare Botwe of gross judicial misconduct, claiming her husband’s five-year sentence for financial crimes, handed down by the judge in 2024, was a carefully orchestrated plot. “I know my husband did not commit any of the offences charged,” Mrs Axim passionately declares. “We didn’t even have the money involved in the case. Justice Asare Botwe failed the judicial standards her office demands and the system failed us.”
The allegations took a dramatic turn with a chilling account of a bail hearing on October 17, 2024. According to Mrs Axim, despite having no role in the proceedings, Justice Asare Botwe secretly entered the courtroom, sat beside her unnoticed, and began taking notes while leaving multiple times to make phone calls. “She was jotting down notes, repeatedly exiting to make calls, and exchanging knowing glances and smiles with the prosecutor,” Mrs. Axim claims. “It was clear to me—she was working behind the scenes to ensure my husband stayed in prison. My faith in the justice system is shattered.”
As expected, Mr. Axim’s bail application was denied, but Mrs. Axim insists the decision was directly influenced by the judge’s covert interference. According to the petition, Justice Asare Botwe’s behaviour wasn’t isolated, alleging that she had orchestrated the conviction in collaboration with state prosecutors. “She sent messages, took notes, and influenced the proceedings to secure her desired outcome,” Mrs Axim asserts. “This wasn’t justice, it was a setup.”
Mrs Axim has now invoked Article 146 of Ghana’s Constitution, demanding the President launch an investigation and remove Justice Asare Botwe for what she describes as “blatant misconduct.” “This judge has brought disrepute to Ghana’s judiciary, and she must be held accountable,” she writes in the petition.
In an effort to strengthen her case, Mrs Axim consulted with eight lawyers, all of whom reportedly supported her call for the President to take action. The allegations, if proven true, would deal a significant blow to Justice Asare Botwe’s career, threatening her reputation as one of the country’s most prominent judges.
As of press time, neither Justice Asare Botwe, the presidency nor the Judicial Service have responded to these grave accusations. Legal experts are urging swift reforms in judicial accountability, warning that the scandal raises serious concerns about impartiality and ethical conduct in the courts.
This story is far from over, and The Hawk will continue to provide updates as the case unfolds. Will Mrs Axim’s petition ignite a broader investigation into Ghana’s judiciary, or will the allegations remain unanswered? Stay tuned for the latest developments in what could be the nation’s biggest judicial scandal in years.
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