Institutional freedom is under threat

Never have we had a democracy of powerful men in the realm of politics beyond the imagination of judges in upholding the independence of the Judicial System.

The proteges of political-powerful men wield so much power that cases brought before the courts will suffer a snail-walk and probably be a pipe dream to justice.

Basically, the courts must be a home of trust for people who require to be treated honestly and just. Because trust is the basis for human collaboration.

When that is badly severed by our courts, then there will be an increase in the crime rate as those without political power and money will not send their cases before the courts.

If you (the accused) are rich enough you can drag a trial along for years, and have a much better chance of getting away with crimes that you are guilty of. Justice in this modern times has color and knows who is rich as well as politically connected.

No doubt, a lot of Ghanaians have expressed distrust in our Judicial System. Because our courts are now places of comedy-drama. Our Justices cannot stop cases brought before them. So, those with authority at their best will allow you to put your case, they listen because the authority is only required to listen to you or receive the grievance, allot it a number and dispose of it.

There are certain cases that cannot be determined or brought to finality because of the power of one of the parties involved. Some parties in a suit are so powerful that the only decision the judge could do is to snail-pace the case by unnecessary adjournments to the frustration of the weaker party. That is the state of our democracy and our so-called independence of the judiciary. Therefore the independence of the judiciary is now a mockery to the very Justices presiding on cases. The independence of the judiciary must be the exercise of the functions by the judges in an unbiased manner i.e. free from any external factor.

The courts are required by law to remain impartial and outside the control of the government. When the judiciary is so close to politics, they tend to be partial in their judgments. That is why a judge could easily be transferred for passing a judgment in a case involving a powerful political head in this political society.

It is reported that former IGP Asante-Apeatu in July sued Net 2 Tv's Justice Kweku Annan for defamation (Suit No. GJ/1106/2021; David Asante- Apeatu (suing per his lawful attorney Nkum Asmah) v. justice Kweku Annan).

Justice Annan in a tv broadcast on Net2 television accused the former IGP of being a fence for criminals in Nigeria and Ghana. The embattled presenter also accused the IGP of working in cahoots with criminals and on the payroll of top criminals in Ghana.

I am saddened that Justice Ekow Baiden had to sound very timid for a ruling he should have passed after all guidance within his leadership failed. His (Justice) words "You don't know the people you are dealing with, you are a young lawyer". Why should administering justice be based on the caliber of personality one is? Why are others made lesser humans than others under the law of the land? Is this justice? If a former IGP could be treated like that, what about you and me?

One interesting but sad aspect of our judiciary is that people can delay judgment by their counsel not appearing on account of sickness and plan it so that they can get to work their way to shady deals.

It is now very clear that courts adjudicate certain cases faster depending on the party pushing it. For instance, if it is a case of land litigation of a powerful politician who has evidence to that respect and wants judgment faster, courts can open up on nights and judges will sit and put out their verdicts on it.

Is it the same for the ordinary man? Hell no! In case of a man fighting on for years for the most basic of rights, the court will have holidays or “not an appropriate time for hearing“

Our system has gotten to a stage where political-powerful men preach a more just world and positive political changes while they do their best to not change their position of power. They openly preach peace and incite supporters to do otherwise to sustain their hold onto power.

As Lord Acton, a British political scientist said power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. A monarch turns tyrant, aristocracy turns into oligarchy and a good polity becomes a democracy.