The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Akufo-Addo of attempting to pack the Supreme Court with judges loyal to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the party, this move is aimed at protecting his officials from accountability after he leaves office.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Accra, General Secretary Fifi Kwetey expressed shock and concern over the development.
He alleged a conspiracy between the Chief Justice and the President, citing a recent recommendation of five new nominations to the Supreme Court by the Chief Justice.
Kwetey described the move as “worrying” and “unconstitutional”, stating that the Chief Justice’s letter recommending the judges was “illegal and of no effect”. He accused the President of attempting to control the judiciary and escape accountability after his term ends.
The recommended judges include Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, who is currently presiding over a controversial trial involving NDC MP and Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson. The other judges are Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuour, and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.
While the Chief Justice has defended her recommendation, citing the workload at the apex court, the NDC argues that the move is a clear attempt to pack the court with pro-NPP judges. The opposition party is calling for due process to be followed and for the independence of the judiciary to be respected.
