Theophilus Dzimegah Jnr. Esq., a member of the NDC Communications Team, has described the recent public address by the suspended Chief Justice as “below the belt” and “needless,” expressing disappointment over her decision to speak publicly on proceedings that are constitutionally required to be held in camera.
Speaking in an interview with Lily Mohammed on GHToday on GHOne TV on Thursday, June 26, Dzimegah said, “It’s a bit unfortunate. Oh. For the spectacle we watched last evening. From the suspended CJ by virtue of the fact that she took an oath to protect, defend, and preserve the Constitution. And this same Constitution says proceedings such as this shall be held in camera.”
He emphasized that by addressing the media on such proceedings, the suspended Chief Justice had effectively removed the confidentiality required by the Constitution. “What she has done means that she has removed the cloak of camera from the proceedings, which is unfortunate,” he stated.
Dzimegah further noted that just as a president can be removed for violating the Constitution, the same standard should apply to the Chief Justice. “Then, in the same vein, you would have thought that if the Chief Justice violates the Constitution, there should be another ground for her removal,” he remarked.
He warned that her actions could potentially lead to new petitions against her. “What she did yesterday, assuming she goes through this process currently smoothly, what she did yesterday will be another ground for another set of petitions to be submitted by someone against her,” he said.
Describing her conduct as a reflection of the judiciary she has supervised, Dzimegah added, “She has supervised the judiciary, so what we saw yesterday is a reflection of what she has been supervising for the past number of years.”
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He also expressed concern that those she directed her accusations at would not be in a position to respond publicly. “It’s like challenging a justice of the court or a judge, the judge will not have the opportunity to also organize a press conference and respond,” he stated.
“With all intents and purposes, with all respect to her, I think what we normally call ‘below the belt’ is what happened yesterday. It was needless. She keeps digging a hole,” Dzimegah added.
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He questioned how the suspended Chief Justice could work with fellow judges in the event she is cleared. “If she goes through this process smoothly and she’s not found guilty, do you think she can work with the same judges that she sort of attacked? How would the office be like?” he asked.
Concluding his remarks, Dzimegah reiterated his earlier view, saying, “This is the judicial version of Wontumi’s cry,” and suggested that the Chief Justice was seeking public sympathy.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Mensah
