Ex GBA President Sam Okudzeto Warns Against Suspension of Chief Justice
Former President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Sam Okudzeto strongly cautioned against attempts to suspend or discredit the Chief Justice, terming them as perilous threats to judicial independence. His statement comes on the back of increased public discourse and political rhetoric aimed at the judiciary, particularly its leadership.
Okudzeto, a seasoned attorney and dignified statesman, had raised an eyebrow regarding recent calls for suspension of the Chief Justice, pointing out that such action would erode public confidence in the judicial system and destabilize the rule of law. In his view, the judiciary should be insulated from political pressures so that it could work freely and ensure democratic government.
His remarks were prompted by growing calls from some political leaders accusing the judiciary of bias and inefficiency. Such accusations have varied from demands for comprehensive reforms to the removal of the current Chief Justice in a bid to restore public confidence in the courts. Okudzeto, however, believes that such actions are not only misguided but also potentially damaging.
He explained that the Chief Justice does not dictate judges' decisions and the judiciary functions through collective deliberation and respect for the law. If corruption and misconduct in the judiciary occur, he stressed that there are constitutional avenues to pursue them, e.g., formal complaint and investigation—not public accusations and political pressure.
Okudzeto was particularly vitriolic in his condemnation of what he called "irresponsible statements" by political leaders, indicating that these may lead to absolute disillusionment with the justice system and lead to lawlessness. He reminded Ghana of the need to maintain respect for the judiciary, recalling tragic past events in which judges were attacked for their judgments, emphasizing the need to protect judicial independence at all costs.
Besides defending the Chief Justice, Okudzeto also castigated a new private members bill read for the first time by two legislators to de-list the Chief Justice and Supreme Court judges from membership in the General Legal Council (GLC). Okudzeto dismissed the draft bill as thoughtless and an exhibition of ignorance regarding how legal standards are maintained on a bill that seeks to reform legal education by shifting responsibility for oversight from the judiciary.
He contended that the judiciary has a critical role to play in maintaining the quality and integrity of legal education and discipline in Ghana. Isolating judges from the regulating authority, he warned, would potentially be harmful to the standards of the legal profession and erode public confidence in lawyers and courts.
Besides this, Okudzeto has also persisted to advocate for the judiciary to be autonomous so that it can operate uninterfered. While recently speaking at a ceremony commemorating the assassination of three High Court judges in the 1980s, he reasserted the importance of judicial independence and urged political leaders to allow judges to do their work without intimidation or manipulation.
He acknowledged that just like any institution, the judiciary is not infallible and subject to good criticism. But he insisted that criticism must be fact-based and channeled through the proper legal avenues and not through political forums or media campaigns.
In short, Okudzeto's stern words are a reminder of the judiciary's role in safeguarding democracy. His warning is a sign of how important it is to be respectful of court processes and resist efforts to politicize the bench. At a time when democratic institutions are subjected to growing scrutiny, his words echo as a call to restraint, integrity, and adherence to the constitution in addressing matters regarding the judiciary.
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Ex GBA President Sam Okudzeto Warns Against Suspension of Chief Justice
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