By Abu M. Monor
In a strong-worded statement, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vehemently condemned the alleged harassment and victimization of the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, His Royal Majesty, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government and the Judicial Council of Ghana. The revered chief, who also serves as a Justice of the High Court, is facing a committee constituted by the Judicial Council over recent public statements he made concerning a sitting Member of Parliament.
The contentious comments were made by the Dormaahene at an event organized by the John Evans Atta Mills Heritage in Sunyani, where he appealed for the country to consider amending the legal regime on the ineligibility of dual citizens to be elected as Members of Parliament. He also made a request to the Attorney-General to consider entering a nolle prosequi in the criminal prosecution of the Assin North MP, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, due to his overwhelming endorsement and re-election by the people of Assin North in a recent by-election.
The NDC contends that the Dormaahene’s comments did not in any way prejudice any pending court case nor breach any Code of Conduct of Judges, as the comments related to the exercise of discretion by the Attorney General and not the Court. Therefore, the attempt by the Judicial Council to allegedly victimize the revered chief over these comments is deemed unacceptable by the opposition party.
According to the NDC, the alleged harassment and victimization of the Dormaahene are believed to be orchestrated by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government, who are purportedly displeased with his remarks. The party sees this as part of a pattern of coordinated attacks on the chief, with some notable figures within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including the Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T Hammond, and the Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, and a leading Member of the General Legal Council, Sam Okudzeto being accused of making threatening and insulting comments towards the Dormaahene in response to his views.
The NDC stresses that as a paramount chief and a custodian of culture, peace, unity, and development in the country, the Dormaahene has a responsibility and right to speak on matters of public interest and call on duty bearers to act in a manner that fosters societal cohesion and development. They caution the Judicial Council against being used as a tool to suppress free speech and criticize the growing perception that the judiciary is being weaponized to silence perceived critics of the government.
Furthermore, the NDC raises concerns about the alleged use of the disciplinary powers of the General Legal Council, which includes known NPP figures, to harass lawyers affiliated with the NDC through frivolous disciplinary hearings. The party demands an immediate end to this perceived hostile posturing as it constitutes manifest injustice against those affected.
In conclusion, the NDC calls on the Judicial Council to reconsider its actions towards the Dormaahene and warns that if the alleged harassment continues, the party will collaborate with other progressive forces and defenders of democracy to stage public protests against what they term a “creeping culture of judicial tyranny.”
