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General News of Sunday, 7 March 2004

Source: Daily Guide

Chief Justice Warns Commentators

The chief Justice (CJ) Mr. Justice Kingsley Acquah, has cautioned social commentators and media analysts in the country not to read political meanings into rulings given by the law courts since they could adversely affect the country?s young infant democracy.

According to the Chief Justice, once the impression is created that the judiciary favour a particular side, then the hope of the ordinary man will be shattered since people see the Judiciary as their last hope.

Mr. Justice Acquah, therefore, warned social commentators to be circumspect, and get their facts right before making certain utterances on cases to be tried, adding that, the Supreme Court has the mandate to deal with any media analyst or social commentator who gives wrong information about cases pending before it, or read political meanings into cases about to be tried by the courts or have been tried by the courts.

The C.J. therefore called on a social commentator who has stated on air before the Supreme Court?s ruling, last Friday, on the Electoral Commission, that ? he hopes the Supreme Court?s decision will not be political?, to retract it on the same medium he used to pass his comments.

Mr Justice Acquah made these comments before reading out the 30-minutes ruling by the Supreme Court which unanimously declared that the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to include the 30 new constituencies in the forthcoming general elections, is valid.