The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed concerns over an alleged harassment and victimisation of the Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu in respect of a comment he made on the ongoing trial of the Member of Parliament (MP) of Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, at an event held in Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital recently.
It said the Dormaahene who is also a Justice of the High Court 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.
The NDC in a statement issued and signed by its General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, alleged that the Dormaahene has been hauled before a Committee constituted by the Judicial Council and Chaired by the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkonoo, over the said comments he made in respect of the ongoing court case of Mr Quayson.
“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,” it said.
Recall
At an event organised by the John Evans Atta Mills Heritage in Sunyani recently, the Dormaahene appealed for the country to consider amending the existing legal regime on the ineligibility of dual citizens to be elected as Members of Parliament.
On the criminal prosecution of the Assin North MP, the chief also appealed to the Attorney-General to consider entering a nolle prosequi in the light of the re-election of James Gyakye Quayson by the good people of Assin North in the just-ended by-election.
His call, however, did not go down with a section of the public.
The NDC claimed the statements did not in any way prejudice any case pending before any Court.
“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 is of the view that the attempt by the Judicial Council to allegedly victimise the Dormaahene over the said comments was unacceptable.
The NDC further called on the Judicial Council to respect the 1992 constitution and also to reconsider its apparent persecution of the Dormaahene, adding that “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”.
“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”.
Source: graphiconline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
No one should use our great and cherished chief to do politics. Our chief is wise, intelligent, courageous and very very strong. Nana will go to the judicial council and speak his mind in his capacity as a high court Judge. I’m happy that nobody has insulted our imminent King even though I don’t like the way he has been criticised because I think a chief of his calibre is beyond reproach.
If the Dormaahene does not want to submit to the authority of the committee, he should simply resign as a judge. He is a human being who has two capacities, one as a chief and the other as a judge. The Judicial Council has every right to 'haul' him before the committee over that loose comment he made. How can this be seen as harassment? NDC's current executives make me puke. At this rate, they will make the party less and less attractive to the elites.
My last month paycheck was for 11000 dollars… All i did was simple online work from comfort at home for 3-4 hours/day that I got from this agency I discovered over the internet and they paid me for it 95 bucks every hour…..>info on web-- https://www.pay.salary49.com
A case in court and that chief feels he/she rather be calling for certain judgement? And he/she calling the kettle BLACK. How did self-respect get less relevant? Its like a player scores a fine off-side goal. This chief would find it OKAY.
(p)NDC talking about harrassment? These guys harassed Ghanaians during their so called revolution days. They are now enjoying freedom and complaining.
oh my NDC party, where is papa JJ. when all chiefs ask the Justice now retired sitting on the cocoa board fertilizer (opuni case) to speak for them, he spoke as a chief but NDC said eh no way he is NPP man. at the time was he not a chief. hmmmmm now this one even tell us if he was there how he would have voted, what can be serious than this and yet ndc does not see any thing wrong.
NDC and their usual illiteracy......has the chief been invited to the Jubilee House by the President over the comments to be termed as harassment? He is a lawyer and a judge who has been invited by his professional regulatory body for comments made. Allow the venerable man to go and defend himself and stop this unnecessary sympathy seeking gimmicks in the court of public opinion. He must be responsible and accountable for his words and actions!! This is not about propaganda or is the NDC telling us they pushed him to say the things he said. I doubt that for a man of his caliber, so he doesn't need the shenanigan from the NDC.