Audio By Carbonatix
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey is accusing President Akufo-Addo of packing the courts with dozens of pro-New Patriotic Party judges.
This, according to the party, is to protect his officials from accountability after he exits office.
Speaking at a press conference held at the party's head office in Accra on Thursday, Mr Kwetey described the trend as worrying.
He also alleged a conspiracy between the Chief Justice and the President following a recommendation of five new nominations to the Supreme Court by the Chief Justice.
"We are completely shocked and scandalised by the state in which the Honorable Chief Justice was preparing to consciously side-step due process and breach the constitution just to please the President and aid him to prosecute his unholy agenda to pack the Supreme Court.
"The Chief Justice's letter is illegal and of no effect. Her action has completely downplayed due process and compromised her independence as the head of the judiciary. We are concerned about the worrying pattern which irresistibly suggests that the President is appointing only those loyal to his party to this court to have control of the judiciary and escape post-regime accountability," he stressed.
The concern by the opposition NDC comes on the back of a May 30, 2024 dated letter, in which the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo asked President Akufo-Addo to nominate five judges to the Supreme Court.
Among the judges recommended is Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, the current judge presiding over the controversial ambulance procurement trial involving NDC MP and Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
The four other judges are Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuour and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.
While the Chief Justice has defended her recommendation by citing the workload at the apex court and the need for more hands, the NDC argues that the move is unconstitutional.
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