Opinions of Saturday, 28 May 2011

Columnist: Ashiagbor, Kwaku Kele

The Chief Justice Too Should Produce Evidence

THE GHANAIAN CONDITION (PART17)

The Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Wood Too Should Produce Evidence.

The Judiciary continues to make a mess of themselves the longer their intransigent behaviour in the treatment of the four lawyers continues.
There is a popular saying that ‘If you find yourself in a hole ,you stop digging’ otherwise you keep sinking.
As if to pour more petrol on the already burning inferno up pop the President and the P.R.O of the Ghana Bar Association supporting the position of the Supreme Court Judges and the Magistrates Association.
One wonders where were Messer’s Frank Beecham and Tony Forson when the current Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Wood made the allegation two years ago that the ‘Judiciary are perceived by the Public to be corrupt and that she was going to put measures in place to prevent this’.

Why are the two gentlemen afraid to ask the Chief Justice to provide the evidence or proof of her statement as is being asked of the four lawyers and Mr.Chris Ackummey? We are living in a very strange world indeed

I am afraid we are now living in George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ where all animals are supposed to be equal but rather some are more equal than others.
Very soon we will end up in the world of 1984 where all thoughts and actions are going to be controlled by the ‘thought police’ and one dares not say a word out of place as ‘big brother will be watching you’.
The way it is ,one is tempted to ask ‘To who are judges answerable and also who pays their salaries? Are they above the law and the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana? Some of us are getting confused. Please can somebody educate us?
If the Judiciary which is supposed to be made up of very learned and impartial people of outstanding stature are behaving in this high-handed manner, where will justice be dispensed?.
Thank God all is not lost yet. The article by one Mr Ato Kobby on the web today and the Editorial of the Daily Graphic today must be read by all decent and fair minded Ghanaians. I will humbly appeal to the Ghanaian Press to keep hammering on the absurdity of the stand taken by the Judiciary till they see the
folly of their action and let reason prevail.
We simply can’t have a situation where the very people entrusted with upholding the rule of law and free speech are the same people undermining this sacred principle.
If we are to apply the maxim that ‘he who alleges must prove’then it is obligatory on our Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Wood to prove her allegation first before we demand the four Lawyers and Mr Chris Ackummey to do likewise.
The Chief Justice is not above the law---however high her legal position is.
Lastly why are the Supreme Court Judges not asking their boss to produce her evidence? Are they afraid they will lose their jobs? We are indeed living in an interesting time.
Iam afraid this issue if not settled soon, will lead the public to have a very low opinion of the whole judicial system which will not augur well for this country. I hope someone high up is watching.

KWAKU.KELE.ASHIAGBOR