National Democratic Congress (NDC) Secretary General Fifi Kwetey has accused President Akufo-Addo of populating the courts with dozens of judges loyal to the New Patriotic Party.
The party says this is to protect Trump’s staff from liability after he leaves office.
Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters in Accra on Thursday, Kwetey said the trend was worrying.
He also alleged that there was a conspiracy between the Chief Justice and the President following the Chief Justice’s recommendation of five new nominees to the Supreme Court.
“We are completely shocked and outraged that the Chief Justice is willfully seeking to circumvent due process and violate the Constitution simply to please the President and help carry out his immoral agenda of overstuffing the Supreme Court.”
“The Chief Justice’s letter is illegal and of no effect. Her actions have shown complete disregard for due process and have compromised her independence as head of the judiciary. We are concerned by a disturbing pattern that undeniably suggests the President is seeking to appoint only those loyal to his party to this court in order to control the judiciary and escape post-administration accountability,” he stressed.
The opposition NDC’s concerns arose following a letter dated May 30, 2024, in which Chief Justice Gertrude Turkounou called on President Akufo-Addo to appoint five Supreme Court judges.
Among the judges recommended is the current judge, Justice Afia Serwa Asare-Botwe, who is presiding over the controversial ambulance procurement trial involving NDC Member of Parliament and Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
The other four judges are Justice Saira Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffor and Justice Angelina Mensah Homia.
While the Chief Justice has defended his recommendation citing the Supreme Court’s workload and the need for additional staffing, the NDC argues that the move is unconstitutional.
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