Marful-Sau, Dordzie appointment not reward – Gov’t debunks reports

The government is denying claims that the appointment of Justices Samuel Marful-Sau and Agnes Dordzie is a reward for the roles they played in the investigation of the Electoral Commission Chair, which eventually led to her dismissal.

The two judges were appointed as Supreme Court Justices by the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday, a few days after the EC boss’ firing.

A statement to Parliament seeking theirs and the approval of two other judges, Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey and Nene Amegatcher, and signed by the president said the appointments were made following consultations with the Judicial Council.

The newly appointed Justices (L-R): Amegatcher, Dordzie, Kotey, Marful-Sau

Not many are impressed with the appointment as Justices Marful-Sau and Dordzie were part of the five-member committee tasked to investigate allegations of misconduct by the EC Chair Charlotte Osei and her two deputies -  Amadu Sulley and Georgina Amankwa.

It was per their recommendation that the three were fired last week.

The elevation, however, of judges who have sat on cases with huge public interest is not new in Ghana.

Former Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, was appointed in 2007 by former president John Kufour a year after she was charged to investigate the disappearance of 76 parcels of cocaine aboard the shipping vessel MV Benjaminon on 26 April 2006.

In May 2015, ormer president John Mahama also appointed Justice Yaw Apau to the Supreme Court a year after he investigated a controversial matter of the payment of judgment debts as a Sole Commissioner.

But Deputy Chief of Staff, Abu Jinapor says that is not the case this time.

Amadu Sulley, Charlotte Osei and Georgina Amankwah have all been fired

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Wednesday, he explained that the Justice Marful-Sau and Justice Dordzie were promoted purely on merit.

“There is absolutely no relationship at all and be rest assured that president Akufo-Addo will never make appointments based on how judges determine cases."

“He is a lawyer of high standing. A man of extraordinary reputed integrity and will discharge his constitutional responsibilities with the highest ethical standards and therefore will never engage in such things. It is most unfortunate that that impression but the facts do not support that suggestion at all,” he added.

Mr Jinapor further stated that all four Justices are eminently qualified to serve on the highest court stressing that “Justice Marful-Sau is a very distinguished judge with high integrity and has been in the court of Appeals for several years…absolutely qualified to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Same for Justice Agnes Dordzie and also for Prof Kotey and Nene Amegatcher, who was one-time president of the Ghana Bar Association.”

The president, he said, acted in accordance with law and it was most unfortunate that the impression was being created that he did otherwise.

Mr Jinapor says the allegations are frivolous 

Mr Jinaopor explained that the processes for the appointment of the justices started early this year and although it should have remained undisclosed, the gravity of the allegations requires that they are put out to establish the frivolity of the claims.

A letter dated February 13, 2018, and signed by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo following a meeting by the Judicial Council nominated the justices for the president’s approval, he revealed.

“It goes on to say that the decision was taken after the three nominating blocks – the Chief Justice, Attorney General and the Bar – had agreed on the nominees.

“So you will see from this letter that as far back as February the Chief Justice writing on behalf of the Judicial Council to the president recommending these four persons for appointment to the Supreme Court,” Mr Jinapor added.

The president then consulted the Council of State in March requesting for counsel as required by law and subsequently approved the nominations following that advice, he said.

He added that “the processes to appoint these four persons to the Supreme Court had long been taken before the determination of this EC matter. It has absolutely no relation at all.”

 

Below is an audio from the conversation on The Super Morning Show, listen

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