Deputy Director of Operations at the presidency, Mustapha Gbande, has launched a strong critique against the previous administration, accusing former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of manipulating the judiciary for political protection.
Speaking on the midday news with Mawuena Egbeta on 3FM on Friday, April 18, Gbande alleged that the former president deliberately filled the courts with loyal judges to shield his appointees from prosecution.
“We haven’t amended our laws; the same law gave President Akufo-Addo the right to remove Charlotte Osei; they are all independent institutions, but he removed her,” Gbande said, referencing the removal of the former Electoral Commission chairperson under controversial circumstances.
He insisted that the current administration would take a different approach—one that doesn’t merely repeat past actions but instead assesses each official on their individual merit.
“We have come, not just repeating precedence, but to deal with everyone on a case-by-case basis.
“The Chief Justice will have to go, the EC chairperson and other politically exposed directors will have to go, and indeed they will go, it is just a matter of time so that we can fill those places with persons who are not politically exposed.”
Gbande emphasized that meaningful reforms cannot be achieved without addressing what he described as political bias within the judicial system.
“President Akufo-Addo kept and packed the judiciary so that all the appointees who will be taken to court will escape. You are calling for accountability, but if you don’t clean the judiciary…we are not going anywhere. The current Chief Justice is politically exposed.”
