The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo of judicial bias, particularly regarding the scheduling of cases.
In a press statement on Wednesday, March 27, the NDC expressed concern over what they perceive as an arbitrary exercise of administrative discretion and public distrust in the impartiality of the judiciary.
“The arbitrary exercise of administrative discretion by the Chief Justice, particularly in the scheduling of cases in the Supreme Court, goes to fortify the high perception of bias on the part of the judiciary. Such judicial manipulations go to confirm the growing public perception that the current Chief Justice, is a pliant accomplice and abettor of the misrule of the despotic Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government”
Citing the Constitution of Ghana’s allocation of discretionary powers to the Chief Justice, the NDC emphasized the importance of ensuring that such authority is wielded judiciously and transparently. The party cautioned against actions that could reinforce suspicions of collusion with the ruling Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government, suggesting that perceived judicial manipulations only serve to bolster the perception of a compromised judiciary.
“While the Constitution of Ghana vests discretionary powers in the Chief Justice in the discharge of her administrative duties over the judiciary, it is important that such discretionary powers are not exercised arbitrarily, capriciously, and whimsically”
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 26, scheduled to hear 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, 27th March, 2024.
The NDC noted it is intrigued by the listing of the Dafeamekpor case for hearing, ahead of the case of Richard Dela Sky v. the Parliament of Ghana and the Attorney-General.
“It is interesting to note, that Richard Dela Sky filed his writ of summons in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, on the 5th of March 2024. This was almost two (2) clear weeks before Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor filed his writ of summons on 18th March, 2024 challenging the constitutionality of the latest ministerial nominations by the President”
The party insisted that given the recent political deadlock that these two legal suits have created between the Executive arm and the Legislative arm of government, one would have expected that the date of filing of the cases would have informed the timing of their hearing by the apex Court.
Click here to read NDC’s full statement
By: Bright Yao Dzakah | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
