Prez Using Judicial Council To Intimidate Dormaahene - NDC

National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Akufo-Addo of using the Judiciary Council to intimidate and harass the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeye Agyeman Badu II, in his capacity as a High Court judge.

The party's general secretary, in a statement signed by Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, characterised the action as unhealthy.

This will prevent others from expressing their opinions on matters of national significance, according to the NDC.

The NDC stated that it has taken note of the Judicial Council's attempts to intimidate the traditional monarch.

The "conduct of the Judicial Council has nearly strengthened the public perception that the Judiciary under President Akufo-Addo has been weaponized to silence perceived government critics."

"We also observe that the disciplinary powers of the General Legal Council, on which known NPP members serve, have frequently been used to harass NDC-affiliated lawyers through frivolous disciplinary hearings. We demand an immediate end to this hostile posture, which is manifestly unjust to the affected parties."

"The NDC requests that the Judicial Council reconsider its apparent persecuting of the Dormaahene," If the Judicial Council continues to persecute and victimise the Dormaahene, the NDC, along with other progressive forces and defenders of democracy, will launch a series of public demonstrations to protest this creeping culture of judicial tyranny.

The National Democratic Congress condemns the harassment and victimisation of DORMAAHENE, OSAGYEFO OSEADEEYO AGYEMAN BADU II by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration and the Judicial Council.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been reliably informed that the Judicial Council is persecuting the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, for recent public statements made in his capacity as a traditional ruler.

The revered chief who doubles as a Justice of the High Court in Ghana's judiciary and goes by the name Justice Daniel Mensah in private life was recently hauled before a Committee constituted by the Judicial Council and chaired by the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkonoo for comments he made regarding the ongoing prosecution of the re-elected Member of Parliament for Assin North, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson.

A few weeks ago, at an event organised by the John Evans Atta Mills Heritage in Sunyani, the venerable Dormaahene made an impassioned plea for the country to consider amending the existing legal regime on the ineligibility of dual citizens to be elected as Members of Parliament; a matter of considerable public interest that is currently the subject of a Bill before Parliament.

Regarding the criminal prosecution of the Assin North MP, the revered chief made a simple request to the Attorney-General to consider entering a nolle prosequi in light of the overwhelming support and re-election of James Gyakye Quayson in the recently concluded by-election.

It should be obvious to anyone with an objective mind that the Dormaahene's above-mentioned statement did not in any way prejudice any pending court case. Nor did same violate any Code of Conduct for Judges, as the comment pertained to the Attorney General's exercise of discretion and not the Court.

The NDC is therefore of the opinion that the Judicial Council's attempt to victimise the Dormaahene over these remarks is completely unacceptable.

The harassment and victimisation of the revered Dormaahene by the Judicial Council is being carried out at the express direction of President Akufo-Addo and his despotic NPP regime, who are hell-bent on punishing the Dormaahene for the harmless remark he made regarding the Gyakye Quayson matter.

In fact, the NDC views these actions by the Judicial Council as a continuation of the avalanche of coordinated assaults and disparaging remarks hurled at the Dormaahene by New Patriotic Party members after the revered chief expressed his views.

Notable among these attacks were threats and insulting remarks made by the Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T. Hammond, the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, and a leading member of the General Legal Council, Sam Okudzeto, who called the chief unprintable words and described his remarks as "senseless."

It must be emphasised that the Dormaahene made the remarks in his capacity as a paramount chief, as well as a protector and promoter of the country's culture, peace, unity, stability, and development.

The revered Dormaahene, like all Chiefs in this country, has the responsibility and the right to speak on matters of public concern and to urge duty bearers to act in a way that promotes societal cohesion and development.

This is not the first time a Ghanaian chief has commented on a matter of public interest or urged the government or a public servant to exercise his/her discretion in a particular way.

In this case, the actions of the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council comprise a brazen assault on the revered institution of chieftaincy and must be condemned by all democrats.

In addition, the most recent conduct of the Judicial Council has nearly strengthened the public's perception that the Judiciary under President Akufo-Addo has been weaponized to silence perceived government critics. If not stopped, this has the potential to further erode public confidence in the judiciary.

Under the intolerant Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, there appears to be a fast-growing culture of judicial harassment against innocent citizens.

We caution the Judicial Council against allowing itself to be used by the government to re-establish a culture of silence in Ghana. The Council must protect against the growing perception that it is an institution with close ties to the ruling NPP.

While we respect the important function of the Judiciary in our governance structure, the Judiciary must respect the free speech rights of citizens as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution, the supreme law of the land. The Judiciary cannot endeavour to place itself above the Constitution and punish chiefs for voicing their opinions on matters of public concern.

We also note that the disciplinary powers of the General Legal Council, on which known NPP members serve, have frequently been used to harass NDC-affiliated lawyers through frivolous disciplinary proceedings. We demand an immediate end to this hostile posture, which is manifestly unjust to the affected parties.

The NDC hereby requests that the Judicial Council reconsider its evident persecutory actions against the Dormaahene. If the Judicial Council continues to persecute and victimise the Dormaahene, the NDC, along with other progressive forces and defenders of democracy, will launch a series of public demonstrations to protest this creeping culture of judicial tyranny.