KEY POINTS
- Togbe Afede criticized judicial decisions as uninspiring and illogical.
- He called for reforms to ensure fairness and public trust.
- He urged institutions to operate free from partisan influence.
Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, has expressed grave worries over the escalating hostilities between the judiciary and the Speaker of Parliament, cautioning that many Ghanaians now find the situation concerning. His comments are in line with the public’s increasing criticism of recent court rulings, which he characterised as being devoid of imagination, rationality, and fairness.
Togbe Afede warns of judiciary’s declining public trust
Former Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba criticised Togbe Afede’s remarks after he raised concerns about the makeup of the court’s panel that decided in favour of Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s lawsuit. Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to declare four parliamen.tary seats vacant was contested in the lawsuit. Given its makeup, Justice Atuguba referred to the panel’s majority decision as “predictable,” raising questions about possible biases in the legal system.
According to myjoyonline, Togbe Afede, who was speaking on the margins of the 9th Congregation of Ensign Global College in Kpong, Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, said that he was disappointed with recent judicial developments and that certain rulings had not been able to bolster trust in the legal system.
Calls for independence and fairness in Ghana’s institutions
The statement made by a former justice of the Supreme Court that the judiciary has become extremely predictable is regrettable. “Unfortunately,” he said. “The judiciary has rendered a number of uninspired verdicts. We want justice, freedom, and equity for all to be upheld by the judiciary.
Myjoyonline stated that he emphasised the value of a judiciary that upholds the liberties and rights of its constituents while guaranteeing the fair administration of justice. However, he pointed out that some recent decisions—some of which appear to defy fairness and logic—have seriously called into doubt the integrity of the court.
Togbe Afede demanded judicial reforms to rebuild the institution’s credibility. He underlined that in order to preserve Ghana’s rule of law and justice, all state institutions—especially the judiciary—must continue to be impartial and free from political influence.
He went on to say that the court should serve the people, uphold their rights, and administer justice in an impartial and open way. He called on stakeholders and leaders to put responsibility first and make sure Ghana’s legal system upholds the democratic ideals upon which the country is based.
