By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Starr FmStarr FmStarr Fm
  • Home
  • Election Hub
  • General
    GeneralShow More
    Ablekuma North Re-run: NPP avoiding another terrible defeat – Political Analyst
    July 9, 2025
    Let national transformation guide your choice – Yaw Opoku Mensah to NPP delegates
    July 9, 2025
    Etweresohene urges government to complete mystical tourism project at River Kwaniakwa
    July 9, 2025
    NPP can’t walk back rerun boycott – Dr. Amakye-Boateng
    July 9, 2025
    Ablekuma North Re-run: NPP’s argument on bad precedent unfounded – Political Analyst
    July 9, 2025
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Government inaugurates new NIB board, announces plan to recapitalise bank
    July 9, 2025
    Ghana’s gold now powers cedi stability – President Mahama
    July 8, 2025
    VRA sets the benchmark in African public procurement
    July 8, 2025
    IMF Executive Board approves $370 million disbursement for Ghana
    July 7, 2025
    From Nima to the World: Lord Ibrahim Sani’s Billion-Dollar Vision for Africa
    July 7, 2025
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Ablekuma North Re-run: NPP avoiding another terrible defeat – Political Analyst
    July 9, 2025
    Let national transformation guide your choice – Yaw Opoku Mensah to NPP delegates
    July 9, 2025
    NPP can’t walk back rerun boycott – Dr. Amakye-Boateng
    July 9, 2025
    Ablekuma North Re-run: NPP’s argument on bad precedent unfounded – Political Analyst
    July 9, 2025
    Baba Jamal mourns Ernest Kumi, describes him as a ‘promising star’
    July 9, 2025
  • Entertainment
    EntertainmentShow More
    I took a pause to gather strength- Kwesi Slay
    July 8, 2025
    Kinaata questions TGMA credibility over ‘Record of the Year’ snub
    July 7, 2025
    Ghana grows movie premiere ignites new thinking among youth in Ashaiman
    July 7, 2025
    “I will feature Sarkodie at the right time” – Kofi Kinaata
    July 6, 2025
    Cultural Heritage: Preserving what cannot be stored
    June 29, 2025
  • Sports
    SportsShow More
    Kofi Adams undertakes inspection of Baba Yara Stadium
    July 9, 2025
    Agbodza: Mahama’s Big Push Agenda kicks off this month
    July 8, 2025
    Julius Debrah backs Mahama’s vision to develop grassroots sports talent
    July 8, 2025
    Black Queens fall to South Africa in WAFCON 2024 opener
    July 8, 2025
    Investment made on Borteyman Complex land is wasted – Sports Minister
    July 7, 2025
  • Technology
    TechnologyShow More
    Real Quantum Dot Technology in Samsung QLED TVs
    June 29, 2025
    GCAA and South Korea sign deal to advance Ghana’s Drone sector
    June 25, 2025
    Onafriq, PAPSS partner to launch cross-border payment services in Ghana 
    June 20, 2025
    Yellow Card, Visa partner to accelerate stablecoin adoption across emerging economies
    June 19, 2025
    Samsung takes Galaxy Z Series to a new era
    June 18, 2025
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    Minority demands audit over $1.2m passport relaunch cost and delays
    July 9, 2025
    Minority demands compensation for citizens stranded by US embassy closure
    July 9, 2025
    Foreign Minister Okudzeto Ablakwa and Chinese Ambassador Tong Defa sign $30 million grant agreement for Aflao market
    Ghana secures $30 million Chinese grant for Aflao market project
    July 9, 2025
    The end of USAID is not catastrophic for Africa – Dr. Brian Reuben
    July 8, 2025
    Mahama underscores strong Ghana-Germany partnership
    July 8, 2025
  • Factometer
Search
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Stop using Judicial Council to victimize Dormaahene – NDC to Akufo-Addo
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Starr FmStarr Fm
Font ResizerAa
  • Headlines
  • Election Hub
  • General
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Factometer
Search
  • Headlines
  • Election Hub
  • General
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Factometer
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
HeadlinesPolitics

Stop using Judicial Council to victimize Dormaahene – NDC to Akufo-Addo

Isaac Dzidzoamenu By Isaac Dzidzoamenu Published July 25, 2023
Share
SHARE

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II is being persecuted by the Judicial Council over comments he made in relation to prosecution of the MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

The NDC further cautioned the Judicial Council not to allow itself to be used by the government to re-introduce a culture of silence in Ghana.

Dormaahene has appealed to the Attorney-General to consider entering a nolle prosequi in light of the overwhelming endorsement and re-election of James Gyakye Quayson by the good people of Assin North in the just-ended by-election.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey indicated that this is not the first time that a Chief in Ghana has commented on an issue of public interest.

“The actions of the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council in this matter constitute a brazen attack on the revered Chieftaincy institution and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy,” the General Secretary stated.

Below is the full statement from the NDC

PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
25TH JULY, 2023.

NDC CONDEMNS HARASSMENT AND VICTIMIZATION OF DORMAAHENE, OSAGYEFO OSEADEEYO AGYEMAN BADU II BY THE AKUFO-ADDO/BAWUMIA GOVERNMENT AND THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been reliably informed that the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II is being persecuted by the Judicial Council over some public statements he recently made in his role as a traditional ruler.

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

It would be recalled that at an event organized by the John Evans Atta Mills Heritage in Sunyani few weeks ago, the venerable Dormaahene made a passionate appeal 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 the subject of a Bill currently before Parliament.

On the criminal prosecution of the Assin North MP, the revered chief made a mere appeal to the Attorney-General to consider entering a nolle prosequi in light of the overwhelming endorsement and re-election of James Gyakye Quayson by the good people of Assin North in the just-ended by-election.

It should be clear to every objective mind, that the above-stated comment by the Dormaahene did not in any way prejudice any case pending before any Court. Nor did same breach any Code of Conduct of Judges, as the comment related to the exercise of discretion by the Attorney General and not the Court.

The NDC, therefore, holds the view that the attempt by the Judicial Council to victimize the Dormaahene over the said comments is totally unacceptable.

There is no gainsaying the fact that, the harassment and victimization of the revered Dormaahene by the Judicial Council is being done on the expressed direction of President Akufo-Addo and his despotic NPP regime who are hellbent on having the Dormaahene punished over the harmless comment he made on the Gyakye Quayson matter.

Indeed, the NDC views these actions by the Judicial Council as a continuation of the avalanche of coordinated attacks and disparaging remarks that were rained on the person of the Dormaahene by persons within the New Patriotic Party after the revered chief expressed his views.

Notable among these attacks were threats and insulting comments 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 used unprintable words on the chief and described his comments as “senseless.”

It must be emphasized, that the Dormaahene made the comments under reference in his capacity as a paramount Chief and for that matter, a custodian and promoter of the culture, peace, unity, stability and development of the country.

Like all Chiefs in this country, the revered Dormaahene has a responsibility and right to speak on matters of public interest and to call on duty bearers to act in a manner that ensures societal cohesion and development.

This is certainly not the first time that a Chief in Ghana has commented on an issue of public interest or made an appeal to the government or a Public Servant to exercise his/her discretion in a particular manner.

The actions of the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council in this matter constitute a brazen attack on the revered Chieftaincy institution and must be condemned by all lovers of democracy.

Also, the latest conduct by the Judicial Council has all but deepened the ever-rising public perception that the Judiciary under President Akufo-Addo has been weaponized to gag perceived critics of government. This has the potential to further erode public confidence in the judiciary if not halted.

All well-meaning Ghanaians are concerned about what appears to be a creeping culture of judicial harassment of innocent citizens which is fast festering under the intolerant Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government.

We, therefore, wish to caution the Judicial Council not to allow itself to be used by the government to re-introduce a culture of silence in Ghana. The Council must guard against the growing perception that they are an institution that is tied to the apron string of the ruling NPP.

While we respect the important role of the Judiciary in our governance architecture, the Judiciary must in turn respect the rights of citizens to free speech as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution which is the supreme law of the land. The Judiciary cannot seek to elevate themselves above the Constitution and punish chiefs for voicing their concerns on issues public interest.

We also note, that the disciplinary powers of the General Legal Council on which known NPP figures serve, has often been used as a tool to harass Lawyers affiliated to the NDC through frivilous disciplinary hearings. We demand an immediate cessation of this hostile posturing as it constitutes manifest injustice against those affected.

The NDC hereby calls on the Judicial Council to reconsider its apparent persecution of the Dormaahene. We wish to caution, that should the Judicial Council proceed to harass and victimize the Dormaahene, the NDC will collaborate with other progressive forces and  defenders of democracy to embark on a series of public manifestations to protest this creeping culture of judicial tyranny.

SIGNED.
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey
General Secretary

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM

You Might Also Like

Ablekuma North Re-run: NPP avoiding another terrible defeat – Political Analyst

Let national transformation guide your choice – Yaw Opoku Mensah to NPP delegates

Etweresohene urges government to complete mystical tourism project at River Kwaniakwa

NPP can’t walk back rerun boycott – Dr. Amakye-Boateng

Ablekuma North Re-run: NPP’s argument on bad precedent unfounded – Political Analyst

TAGGED:DormaaheneJudicial Council of GhanaNational Democratic Congress (NDC)-GhanaPresident Akufo-Addo
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Share
Previous Article Police submit case docket on stealing reported by Osei-Kuffour, Cecilia Dapaah to A-G
Next Article Televise sittings of c’ttee probing leaked tape on IGP – Bonaa

Starr 103.5FM

Starr FmStarr Fm
Follow US
© 2024 EIB Network Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
newsletter icon
Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest in news, podcasts etc..

[mc4wp_form]
Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?