New Patriotic Party (NPP) Legal Directorate member Ishaq Ibrahim has raised concerns that comments by the Chief Justice on matters of national interest could affect public confidence in the fairness of ongoing court cases.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Ishaq Ibrahim argued that the Chief Justice, as the head of Ghana’s judiciary, is expected to maintain strict impartiality because parties in legal disputes ultimately depend on the courts to dispense justice.
He said the concern becomes particularly significant when individuals or institutions connected to issues commented on by the Chief Justice are already before the courts.
“We have live cases already in court. The Buffer Stock guy is there, Mustapha Hamid, NPA and other cases are in court, and the Chief Justice, who is supposed to be impartial, part of the judiciary, says that they have sunk Ghana so low in the past eight years. Can these people ever receive justice?” he asked.
According to Ishaq Ibrahim, such comments could create the impression that the Chief Justice has already formed an opinion about parties whose cases may come before the judiciary.
“You have already formed an opinion before they come to you, and these people are before you in court. Can they ever get justice?” he questioned.
He argued that the issue could raise concerns about the constitutional right to a fair trial, particularly for persons whose cases relate to the period or conduct being discussed.
“If I’m one of their lawyers, I would say that these guys, the Constitution guarantees their right to fair trial. They can never get fair trial with the head of judiciary,” Ishaq Ibrahim said.
He maintained that judges must preserve their independence and impartiality to ensure that parties appearing before the courts have confidence that their cases will be determined fairly.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayeson
