Josiah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has leveled accusations of judicial bias against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, particularly concerning the scheduling of court cases.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, March 27, the NDC expressed apprehension regarding what they perceive as an arbitrary exercise of administrative discretion and a lack of trust in the judiciary’s impartiality.
“The Chief Justice’s arbitrary exercise of administrative discretion, especially in case scheduling at the Supreme Court, only reinforces the widespread belief in judicial bias. These actions fuel the growing public perception that the current Chief Justice is complicit in supporting the authoritarian rule of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
Citing the Ghanaian Constitution’s grant of discretionary powers to the Chief Justice, the NDC stressed the need for the responsible and transparent exercise of such authority. The party warned against actions that could further suggest collusion with the ruling Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, asserting that perceived judicial manipulations only serve to erode confidence in the impartiality of the judiciary.
“While the Ghanaian Constitution entrusts discretionary powers to the Chief Justice for administering judicial affairs, it is imperative that these powers are exercised with fairness, consistency, and transparency.”
The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, March 26, scheduled the case of Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor v. the Speaker of Parliament and Attorney-General (SUIT NO: J1/12/2024) for hearing on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
The NDC observed with interest the prioritization of the Dafeamekpor case over that of Richard Dela Sky v. the Parliament of Ghana and the Attorney-General.
“It is notable that Richard Dela Sky initiated legal proceedings in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, on March 5, 2024, nearly two weeks prior to Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor filing his case on March 18, 2024, contesting the constitutionality of recent ministerial appointments by the President.”
The party argued that given the significant political implications of these two lawsuits on the ongoing deadlock between the Executive and Legislative branches of government, the order of case filing should have informed the scheduling of hearings by the Supreme Court.
Source:Omanghana.com
