Private legal practitioner Kwame Jantuah has called for an end to the disparagement of Ghana’s judiciary following recent criticisms of the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) ruling on the Airbus bribery scandal involving former President John Dramani Mahama.
In a recent appearance on Asaase Radio’s The Forum on August 10, 2024, Jantuah expressed his concerns about the growing trend of criticizing judicial decisions whenever they are perceived as unfavourable.
He emphasized that such actions erode public trust in the legal system, essential for maintaining justice and order in the country.
“When verdicts come out from our courts, be it the Supreme Court, Appeals Court, High Court, or even the Special Prosecutor’s office, we are quick to bastardize them if we don’t agree,” Jantuah said.
“That creates a lack of confidence in our legal system, and I think we have to stop it,” Jantuah urged, emphasizing the urgency of halting the trend of criticizing judicial decisions.
Jantuah stressed that the judiciary is designed to serve the people and that any dissatisfaction with a court’s decision should be addressed through proper legal channels, such as appeals.
He underscored the importance of respecting judicial decisions, reiterating the principle that those who disagree with a ruling have the right to pursue legal remedies.
“The courts are there for the people,” Jantuah explained.
“When people want to be heard in cases, they don’t take it to the executive or the legislature; they take it to the judiciary. So I’m appealing; let’s not always bastardize our courts.”
Addressing the controversy surrounding the OSP’s ruling on President Mahama’s involvement in the Airbus scandal, Jantuah advised that any dissatisfaction with the verdict should be resolved through legal processes rather than public criticism.
“I’ll end by saying anybody who does not agree with the OSP’s verdict on President Mahama should take it to court,” Jantuah concluded.
His comments come in the wake of heightened scrutiny and debate over recent legal decisions, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to handling and respecting judicial outcomes in Ghana.
