Revolutionary Treatment Of Judges

Although, The Informer as a body has made it a policy to contribute immensely to the democratic values and progression of this country, and therefore, abhors all forms of abuse of power and interference in the judicial process by any government, per the provisions in the 1992 constitution, it is never regrettable on our part to remind Ghanaians of events that characterized the almost two decades of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in office under Chairman Rawlings.

In fact, the reasons as to why the judiciary became the worse affected victim of the revolutionary era’s house-cleaning exercise, are not far-fetched as a result of how high profiled cases in this country have been handled by judges, most of whom, are believed to be sympathizers of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Per the stinking Supreme Court ruling yesterday, where a conflict of interest case was instituted against the NPP National Chairman, Jake-Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey by two deputy Ministers of State, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, and Dr. Omane Boamah, of the ministries of Information and Sports respectively, indeed seems to be justifying the revolutionary era treatment of some judges under Chairman’s Rawlings’ PDNC. Hiding behind the constitution, Justice S. A. Brobbey, enjoying the support of his mate Rose Owusu plus two others, decided to endorse Jake’s purchase of a state bungalow that he occupied as Minister of Tourism and Chief of Staff, even though he was appointed to these positions without certificate; edifice which huge amount of state fund was used to refurbish. Knowing very well that the decision by the NPP Chairman was unacceptable and will not be taken kindly by Ghanaians, the supreme court managed to rule in his favour; averring that Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey had the right under the constitution to purchase the bungalow in which he lived, because, the bungalow was bought in his capacity as a citizen and not as a minister, a classical nonsense! According to the court presided over by Justice William Atuguba, the former Kufuor appointee did not abuse any law of the land by purchasing the house. And we wonder whether these judges should be taken serious, in that, if all government appointees dated back in Nkrumah’s era had decided to buy the bungalows allocated to them, would Jake have had one to live in to the extent of buying it.

Demonstrating his NPP colours, Justice Brobbey, however, pointed out that allegations of conflict of interest and corruption against any public officer, and for that matter, his party chairman, needs to be proven beyond all reasonable doubt.

The Informer wasn’t surprised at all, that just after yesterday ruling he ceases to be a Supreme Court judge, as he has attained his statutory retirement age. Indeed, if persons like Justices Brobbey and Rose Owusu can support Jake to buy a state property that he happened to live as a Minister, then, The Informer will not be shocked, should aggrieved Ghanaians, unhappy with the court ruling, decide to seek justice by taking the law into their own hands to reinvent events of the PNDC time, where the judiciary became affected by the revolutionary anger, as result of perceived biased judgment at the time.

We wish Justice Brobbey a happy retirement and may he live long to experience the juice of his actions.