Political activist Dr Arthur Kennedy has expressed concern about Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo’s request for additional Supreme Court judges, especially in an election year.

Stressing his respect for the judiciary, the Physician said the CJ’s act made him uneasy as the move could lead to political instability.

“I am very troubled not by her motives—I don’t know her motives but I am sure she means well—but by her awareness of the political situation we are in,” he said.

On Thursday, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accused Chief Justice and President Akufo-Addo of seeking to pack the Supreme Court with judges sympathetic to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The accusation follows the circulation of a letter dated May 30, 2024, from the Chief Justice to the President, requesting the nomination of five new judges to the Supreme Court. Among the recommended judges was Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, currently presiding over the ambulance procurement trial involving NDC MP and Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.

The other nominees were Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.

But speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile, Dr Kennedy stated that the timing is wrong.

According to him, due to the current tension in the political environment, with an election looming and ongoing issues tarnishing the judiciary's reputation, it would have been judicious to hold on a little.

“We are a few months away from an election, we have had a lot of problems with our judiciary and its reputation. A lot has been done that has left a bitter taste in the mouth of a lot of Ghanaians.

“The perception, increasingly that our judiciary and particularly, the Supreme Court is biased with a warning from Kan Dapaah [National Security Minister] who is NPP,” he told Samson Lardy Anyenini.

Dr Kennedy further criticised the Chief Justice for not adhering to constitutional procedures.

“The Chief Justice doesn’t even bother to follow the processes laid down by the Constitution. I smell a rat and I smell a rat because it will contribute to instability in the country.”

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo has justified her recommendation to President Akufo-Addo to consider five judges for the Supreme Court.

She insists that the Supreme Court needs more judges to handle the overwhelming number of cases currently before it.