The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has raised concerns over what he describes as an attempt by the Executive arm of government to exert undue control over the Judiciary.
His comments come after President John Mahama suspended the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, following the establishment of a committee to investigate petitions against her.
Read also: Mahama suspends Chief Justice after setting up committee to probe petitions
The move, announced in a statement from the Presidency, is in compliance with constitutional provisions and follows consultations with the Council of State.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Wednesday, Mr Mohammed expressed the party’s unease with recent developments following President John Mahama’s suspension of the Chief Justice.
He noted that the move appears to undermine judicial independence and could set a dangerous precedent.
He further referenced an ongoing Supreme Court case challenging the processes surrounding the Chief Justice’s suspension under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. According to him, the President’s decision to proceed with the suspension before the Court has ruled on the matter undermines due process.
“It is basic civic knowledge that we operate with three separate arms of government — the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. The Executive is trying as much as possible to control the Judiciary as a result of that, President Mahama has gone ahead to suspend the Chief Justice using the process that has been started, which has been questioned to be decided at the Supreme Court,” he stressed.
He added, “This is something that we all need to examine holistically.The judiciary must remain an independent arm of government, but recent actions suggest otherwise. As a party, we are particularly concerned about the President’s remarks made in Akosombo, where he openly stated that he would facilitate the appointment of lawyers affiliated with the NDC to the bench.”
Mr Mohammed alleged that such comments, made when Mahama was a candidate, were not just political rhetoric but part of a broader agenda now unfolding under his administration.
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