Judge Flees From "Political Persecution"

Details emerging from the 'Tsikata Vrs. NPP Gov't Saga' indicate that one of the three nominees of the judicial council for appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Georgina Woode wrote to the President for a stay on her nomination.

Mrs. Justice Woode, an Appeals Court Judge, not wanting to be drawn into the politicized commentaries being engaged in by the media decided even before the names were out, to continue a little longer in the political wilderness.

"She was uncomfortable about the politically volatile nature of the debate on an intended "packing of the Supreme Courts" by government" sources said.

Mrs. Justice Woode in her letter to the President stated that, whilst she welcomes the opportunity to serve on the Supreme Court, she thinks the timing was not appropriate, but thanked the president for considering her nomination.

Prior to the President's nomination of Justice Dixon Kwame Afreh to the Supreme Court, some had suggested that the government pack the court before the review of an earlier ruling declaring the Fast Track High Courts unconstitutional.

Critics led by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) described any such appointment as an attempt to politicize the judiciary.

The party's members in parliament subsequently decided not to participate in any parliamentary proceedings relating his approval.

With earlier reports suggesting that three names were being considered for appointment to the Supreme Court, the nomination of only Justice Afreh ostensibly "to enable the chief justice meet the requirement of putting together a larger panel for the review" raised eyebrows in some quarters.