Why will the bar get involved in this legal quagmire? – Edudzi Tameklo questions GBA’s motive
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a scathing rebuttal to the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) over its call for President John Dramani Mahama to rescind the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, accusing the Association of veering off course and engaging in political theatrics.
Acting CEO of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and Director of Legal Affairs of the NDC, Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, minced no words in criticising the GBA’s position.
“The bar is obviously on a wayward path and must be made to understand that the President has acted within the remits of the law. The GBA is inviting the president to engage in unconstitutional conduct. Why will the bar want to get involved in this legal quagmire?” he queried.
His remarks followed the GBA’s public condemnation of the Chief Justice’s suspension, which it described as troubling and potentially unconstitutional. The Bar’s statement raised alarms over the broader implications for judicial independence and due process.
However, the backlash from the presidency and its allies has been swift and pointed.
Special Aide to the President, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, added her voice to the criticism, accusing the GBA of overreaching and attempting to interfere in a constitutionally guided process. “Who has invited the Bar to interpret the Constitution!
And who says that threats from the Bar can manipulate a constitutional process?” she questioned in a strongly-worded social media post.
Bawa Mogtari argued that the GBA’s approach undermines the very legal principles it claims to uphold and urged the Association to take its grievances to the appropriate forums.
“If indeed the Bar is convinced that its case is on Terra Firma, then instead of empty public rants and threats, they should go to court,” she asserted.
