SC judges must be cited for contempt – Otiko Djaba

The National Women's Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Otiko Afisa Djaba, has said the apex court which heard the just ended 2012 presidential election petition case must be cited for contempt including the judges following the verdict given.

According to her, justice and equity was vague from the judgment of the nine-member panel which heard the petition. She believes it was askew to favour President John Mahama and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), but not the entire nation.

Madam Afisa Djaba is certain that the ruling has caused confusion in the nation, so it will be appropriate to cite the Supreme Court for contempt and, as well as reform its operations of nepotism.

Nearly two weeks after the Supreme Court dismissed the NPP’s petition filed against the NDC, President Mahama and the Electoral Commission (EC), Madam Otiko still expresses disappointment in the ruling and noted Ghana’s democracy is in a shambolic state.

She, however, doubt if any political party will seek clarification from the Supreme Court again after the “yet to believe” 29th August 2013 petition ruling.

“The Supreme Court is the highest body of jurisdiction in this country, where all serious matters are settled. But after their unfair ruling, where else should we direct our grievances to be solved? If you say something now, the court will cite you for contempt.

“…I think it’s time someone also sue the apex court for contempt because they have deepened confusion. What they have done is against the constitution of this country. The Supreme Court must face the Legal Council…if not people will lose confidence in the court. Already there is a mistrust of what happened in court.

“…Now people are saying that, if there is an issue of an election outcome, it will be better to stay away from the court and settle it in their own way. Where are we going as a nation?” she questioned on Adom FM.

Borrowing Nana Addo’s words, worried Madam Otiko Djaba believes despite what has happened, “the battle still remains the Lord’s”.