Former Ghana Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Tony Aidoo, has criticised the Supreme Court under President Akufo-Addo, alleging that it acts as a supra-constitutional authority that intrudes into the functions of Parliament.
In a recent interview on Newsfile aired by JoyNews and reported by MyNewsGh.com, Aidoo questioned the legal validity of a lawsuit brought forward by the Majority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, asserting that it lacks any legal foundation.
Aidoo’s comments reflect a growing concern over the judiciary’s influence on legislative processes in Ghana.
“The Supreme Court in the past years, especially under the Akufo-Addo administration, behaved as if it’s a supra-constitutional body that can interfere in every activity of Parliament.
Afenyo-Markin’s writ did not show any legal course for interpretation,” Dr. Aidoo bemoaned.
Dr. Tony Aidoo contends that the matter regarding vacant parliamentary seats is not a legal one but rather a direct outcome of actions taken by the MPs, governed by a clear conditional provision that requires no further interpretation.
He expressed his backing for the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, stating that Bagbin properly applied the law as outlined in Article 97, sections (g) and (h).
Additionally, Aidoo raised concerns about the Supreme Court’s actions, suggesting it behaves as if it were a sixth colonist for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), implying undue influence over parliamentary affairs.
“Every case the NPP loses in Parliament, it takes it to the Supreme Court because they know it is a pact court where decisions are taken to favour them. This is not the root of proper governance of our country,” Dr. Aidoo lamented.
The Supreme Court of Ghana has rejected an application from Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who aimed to overturn a prior ruling that prevented him from declaring four parliamentary seats vacant.
This ruling adds to the ongoing legal discourse regarding the extent of the Speaker’s authority and the judiciary’s influence on parliamentary matters.
In his application, Speaker Bagbin sought to nullify the Supreme Court’s earlier decision that had temporarily halted his ruling concerning the four disputed seats.
Additionally, he aimed to dismiss a writ submitted by Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, which called for judicial intervention to stop the Speaker from making further declarations regarding these seats .