Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu says allegations that Ghana’s judiciary speeds up politically sensitive cases are nothing new, arguing that such claims surface after every change in government, regardless of which party is in power.
His comments follow remarks by lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), who accused the courts of operating in “ambulance mode” in handling politically charged matters.
Speaking on News Digest on Saturday, July 25, Kpebu said accusations of political interference in judicial processes have been cyclical for decades.
“This concern is cyclical because it keeps coming. Every time there’s a change in government, then you hear the same concern being expressed by the party that has gone into opposition,” he said.
He cited cases such as the prosecution of Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, the Menzgold collapse, and prosecutions of former NDC officials under President John Agyekum Kufuor as examples of politically sensitive matters that have triggered similar debates.
“History shows that these accusations have always been around, at least since 2001… and I’m sure if you trace, you will find it earlier in our history,” he said. “From Kwame Nkrumah’s time to date, these accusations have always been part of our society.”
Kpebu, however, argued that such concerns serve as public pressure that keeps institutions alert and accountable.
“The accusations can continue because they serve as a warning to the government and then the judiciary. Just in case anything is being planned wrongly, then they will put themselves in check,” he said.
“It would be very unusual if the opposition didn’t make such claims.”
His remarks come after Chairman Wontumi was sentenced to 20 years in prison following his conviction in an illegal mining case linked to Akonta Mining Company, reigniting debate over how politically sensitive cases are handled in Ghana’s justice system.
— CitiNewsRoom
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