The Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has defended his fierce criticism of a sitting Circuit Court judge, accusing the jurist of showing “no respect for the law and the rights of citizens.”
In a strongly worded public statement, the Minority Leader defended his right to scrutinise the judiciary, insisting that questioning a member of the bench does not constitute a personal crusade.
“It is both ethical and within my constitutional rights to call out a Judge who has no respect for the law and the rights of citizens,” Mr Afenyo-Markin asserted, pointing to what he described as a worrying trend in politically sensitive matters. “There is a pattern in the conduct of the Circuit Court 9 Judge in political cases that go before him.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin made it clear that the opposition faction would not remain passive, warning of upcoming parliamentary interventions and formal challenges designed to hold the judicial officer accountable.
He stated flatly that he cannot, in good conscience, respect a judge who does not mirror that respect back toward the law itself, adding that “our law Lords are not above the law.”
As part of a coordinated response, the Minority Caucus intends to deploy legislative mechanisms to address the matter formally.
“The Minority Caucus in Parliament will not shut its eyes to the conduct of this Judge,” the statement read. “A series of actions will be taken in Parliament and the appropriate constitutional steps will be taken to rebuke him.”
The Minority Leader also directed an appeal to the highest office of the judiciary, calling on the Chief Justice to intervene and ensure accountability within the lower courts.
He urged the head of the judiciary to “keep an eye on the Circuit Court 9 Judge and prevail upon him to uphold the ethos of his judicial robe and wig.”
Copies of the declaration were additionally directed to the Ghana Bar Assocɓiation, signalling an intention to engage the wider legal fraternity in the unfolding dispute.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
