Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has urged Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to stop commenting on political matters that could potentially end up before the courts, warning that such statements could create a perception that the Judiciary is biased.

He said public officials occupying sensitive constitutional positions must be particularly cautious about their pronouncements, especially when commenting on the performance or conduct of institutions that may later become parties to legal disputes.

Mr Domelevo noted that although the Chief Justice may intend to strengthen cooperation between the Judiciary and other state institutions, remarks suggesting that an institution is corrupt or inefficient could compromise confidence in the court’s neutrality if related cases subsequently come before it.

“If you already make it known that this institution is corrupt or inefficient or has so and so, one may think that you are already prejudiced,” he said.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Saturday, September 5, Mr Domelevo said: “My wish is that if it is possible, the Chief Justice should stop commenting on some political issues, especially issues that can later on cover litigation coming back to the court.”

His comments follow recent remarks by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie during visits to some state-owned institutions, where he praised their performance under the current administration while questioning what had been achieved over the previous eight years.