'Justice delayed is justice denied; but it’s better late than never' — Domelovo reacts to Supreme Court ruling

Daniel Yao Domelevo, the former Auditor General has reacted to the Supreme Court's ruling declaring his removal from office as illegal.

The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that it was unconstitutional for President Akufo-Addo to force Mr. Domelevo to proceed on mandatory leave which saw him ousted.

In 2022, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo compelled Domelovo to proceed on 169 working days of accumulated leave.

In an interview with Hawah Iddrisu Mustapha on Citi TV‘s 20/20 News, the former Auditor General stated that he was disappointed that President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo who prides himself as a human rights activist, would breach the constitution with impunity.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. The justices of the Supreme Court know better… From my point of view, it’s better late than never. So from today going, it will not be repeated on any constitutional body or any Auditor General, that is my happiness. I’m equally sad that the highest office of the land, the presidency, is at the forefront of not respecting the constitution of the country, I find it a bit disturbing. Even when I drew their attention, they told me I don’t appreciate the law. I am hoping that they will write to the Supreme Court and tell them that they have to go back for law classes since they have upheld the position that I was pushing forward. I think that the ruling was a very good one,” Mr Domelovo stated.

Domelevo added, “I don’t have anything to say to him [Akufo-Addo], except to tell him that being a human rights lawyer, he should try and respect the laws of the country. The president should be the first person to respect the laws of the country so that private enterprises and individuals can also respect the rights of the citizenry. If the supreme law of the citizenry is violated, then it will be difficult for others to do same. I will urge the president to respect the laws of the country instead of violating them.”

The former Auditor General stated that he will not seek compensation from the State if it will come at the expense of the taxpayer.

According to him, he is being consoled by the court decision which cleared him of all the false impressions some Ghanaians had about him.

Domelevo stated, “What type of redress? The battle is for the Lord, the most important thing is that the Supreme Court has spoken. And I’m happy they have done that. Many Ghanaians thought that there was something untoward that I had done, which the president said I should go on leave. Now that I feel vindicated, I don’t think I need any redress beyond that. Many people suggested, and I jokingly tell them why would I take redress so to get compensation from the taxpayers who did nothing to me. The president doesn’t pay tax, so I’m not interested in taking any further action.”