Legal practitioner and member of the NPP Legal Directorate, Ishaq Ibrahim Esq., has defended judicial vacations as a long-standing practice in Ghana’s legal system but questioned the timing and manner in which the current decision was communicated.
Speaking with Lantam Papanko on Starr Focus, Ishaq Ibrahim said judicial vacations are not a new development, explaining that the practice dates back to the era of former Chief Justice Sir Kobina Arku Korsah and was inherited from the United Kingdom.
“Vacations when it comes to the judiciary is not a new thing. In fact, it is a tradition we have inherited from the United Kingdom,” he said.
He explained that during such periods, courts would generally go on recess, with designated “vacation courts” handling urgent matters.
Ishaq Ibrahim said he supports judicial vacations because judges and other legal professionals require adequate time to rest and recover after sustained periods of work.
“If you keep working without a break, productivity will suffer. Because once you go away and come, the new you is a fresh start. So it’s a good thing,” he added.
However, he said the controversy surrounding the current judicial vacation arrangement is largely due to the timing and manner in which the decision was made.
“It’s the way the decision has been made, and that’s why people are suspicious of it,” he noted.
The legal practitioner also raised concerns about what he described as inconsistencies in the handling of legal cases under the current administration.
According to him, such developments have fuelled questions about the fairness and consistency of the government’s approach to legal matters, particularly in cases involving members of the opposition.
“Even a dog knows the difference between being tripped upon and being kicked,” he said, stressing that the controversy is largely about public perception and whether the law is being applied fairly.
Ishaq Ibrahim further acknowledged that the law gives the Chief Justice authority to make certain administrative decisions concerning the judiciary.
However, he maintained that such powers must be exercised with due regard to the relevant constitutional provisions and in a manner that does not undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayeson
