Attorney General Godfred Dame has defended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s recommendation of five high court judges for appointment to the Supreme Court, made to the president, myjoyonline.com reports.
In response to a press conference held by the National Democratic Congress, accusing President Akufo Addo of stacking the Supreme Court with judges sympathetic to the New Patriotic Party, Godfred Dame said there was no malice in the Chief Justice’s actions.
Further explaining, Mr. Dame, who also serves as the Minister for Justice, clarified that the Chief Justice made a request, contrary to claims by the opposition NDC that the five high court judges had been nominated.
“What I am aware of is the request from the CJ, and there is no malice in that. The Judiciary is undoubtedly better placed to provide ample justification for an enhanced Supreme Court, but it is also worth noting that the Supreme Court of Ghana is quite unique,” he said, as quoted by myjoyonline.com.
The General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, claimed in a press briefing on Thursday, July 4, that the Judicial Council unanimously resisted efforts to elevate five judges to the Supreme Court, only to be overridden by the Chief Justice and President covertly.
“Our unimpeachable sources tell us that the Judicial Council unanimously stood against the reckless schemes of both the President and the Chief Justice. We are further informed that all the members of the Judicial Council rejected the proposal, citing poor and dangerous timing, especially with the general elections only six months away.
“Members of the Judicial Council insisted that the next government be given the opportunity to consider the arguments for the expansion in the number of Supreme Court Justices, if at all necessary,” he said.
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