An aspiring National Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has alleged that Ghana’s judiciary is becoming “too close” to the Executive.

He argued that the perceived relationship is undermining public confidence in the justice system.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday ahead of the NPP’s planned demonstration, Mr Aboagye said concerns over the judiciary’s independence are among the key reasons for the protest.

Responding to a question from host Evans Mensah on whether issues such as the incarceration of the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Wontumi, and the Sedina Tamakloe case were factors behind the demonstration, Mr Aboagye said concerns about what he described as selective justice had become impossible to ignore.

“That is also another matter. The selective justice, the selective application of our justice system, is also obvious to all of us. It’s become even now blatant,” he said.

Mr Aboagye disclosed that he had formally written to the Chief Justice to express his concerns about what he believes is an unhealthy relationship between the judiciary and the Executive.

“I wrote a letter to His Lordship, the Chief Justice… where I itemized my worry about his relationship and his romance with the executive, and the fact that it’s becoming too glaring,” he stated.

When asked whether he had received a response, he explained that the Judicial Secretary had issued a statement addressing some of the issues he raised.

“Yes, I think the Judicial Secretary actually issued a statement to clarify certain things,” he said.

Despite that response, Mr Aboagye maintained that his concerns remain unresolved.

“I felt uncomfortable that you are looking too close. The proximity within which you seem to be moving around with these people—it’s becoming too blatant, and it makes those of us who are obviously not liked by these people uncomfortable,” he said.

He argued that perceptions of closeness between the judiciary and political actors could leave some citizens questioning whether they would receive impartial justice.

“I get worried that these people don’t like me because I speak up… if you are this way with them, and I have an issue, they probably have your ears. I don’t. How safe am I?” he questioned.

Mr Aboagye insisted that Ghana’s judiciary must remain insulated from partisan politics.

“I am of the view that we need to keep our judiciary very far away from our politics, far, far, far away from our politics. I don’t take those excuses of comparisons… I am a citizen. I feel that today, as it is happening, I am worried about it. I want to speak up,” he said.

According to him, the planned protest is intended to send that message.

“The 10s and 1000s of people you will be seeing tomorrow on the street are simply saying that the judiciary seems to be romancing with the executive and is making the executive too comfortable,” he added.

On his claim of selective justice, Mr Aboagye pointed to the handling of court cases during the legal vacation.

“Now you have a lot of cases in the court… Every year you go on your legal vacation. This year… you say that even though all of you are being tried for criminal cases, I have selected a few of you… That is selective justice,” he argued.

The NPP has announced the protest as part of what it says is a campaign to defend the independence of state institutions and demand fairness in the administration of justice.