The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has debunked claims by Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, that the former Chief Justice’s era witnessed the greatest number of miscarriages of justice whiles contributing to a debate in Parliament on Wednesday
Kwesi Anin-Yeboah on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, officially retired as the Chief Justice. He served for 21 years as a judge, serving three years as the Head of the Judiciary.
But according to the Minority Chief Whip, the judiciary under the leadership of Justice Anin-Yeboah witnessed high number of miscarriages of justice while referring to the recent Supreme Court ruling, which annulled the election result of James Gyakye Quayson, the MP for Assin North in the Central Region.
His assertion prompted a storm of criticism with many suggesting it will instigate hate against judges.
Addressing the comment in a statement dated Thursday, June 8, 2023, the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana wholly disagreed with his distasteful remarks.
Signed by JUSAG’s National President, Samuel Afotey Otu, the statement reprimanded Mr. Agboza for attacking the integrity of the former Chief Justice.
“It is okay to critique the decisions of the Supreme Court or any of the Courts. However, it is not proper for politicians and citizens to personalize decisions of the apex court and attack justices of the Supreme Court when decisions do not go in their favour,” parts of the statement said.
The former Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, according to JUSAG, served Ghana to the best of his capability until his retirement.
JUSAG stated categorically that “No Chief Justice has control over Supreme Court Justices or direct them on the decisions they make on cases before them. Besides, the former Chief Justice was not part of the panel that sat on the case of Michael Ankomah Nimfah vs James Gyakye Quayson & 2 Ors.”
“Then Chief Justice contributed significantly towards transformation of the Judiciary. His regime saw massive infrastructure which brings justice closer to the doorsteps of the people. He launched the Judges Performance Review to check Judicial excesses among some judges, and improved the e-justice system. His sound judgements are public records.
“If we will not dignify and honour him for his sacrifices, we should allow him to have a blissful rest in his retirement. It is undeserving of no less a person than an honourable member of parliament to cast a slur upon the person of the Honourable former Chief Justice.
“Whereas the Judiciary is a human institution far from perfection, all citizens of Ghana including politicians owe it a duty to contribute towards protecting the sanctity of the third arm of Government,” JUSAG noted.
The statement added “We wish to thank the Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban S. K. Bagbin and other MPs for their intervention on the matter and urge MPs to comply. We are equally grateful to Parliament for the emphatic endorsement of our mother, the incoming Chief Justice.”
“Congratulations to Her Ladyship Justice Getrude A. E. S. Torkornoo,” the statement concluded.
