Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has taken legal action against President John Dramani Mahama, challenging the manner in which he has handled the removal process of the Chief Justice.
The lawsuit, filed at the Supreme Court on March 26, 2025, questions the constitutionality of the President’s approach and highlights concerns over potential executive interference in the judiciary.
At the center of Assafuah’s legal challenge is the claim that President Mahama failed to notify the Chief Justice of a petition against her before proceeding to consult the Council of State.
This, he argues, violates fundamental constitutional provisions that protect judicial officers from arbitrary removal.
According to him, the failure to inform the Chief Justice deprived her of the right to respond to the allegations before key consultations took place, making the entire process procedurally flawed.
Assafuah insists that judicial independence must be safeguarded and that any attempts to weaken it must be opposed.
He contends that allowing the President to bypass proper procedures sets a dangerous precedent that could erode the autonomy of the judiciary, making it susceptible to political control.
His suit requests that the Supreme Court declare the President’s actions unconstitutional and render the removal process invalid.
If successful, this ruling could prevent further attempts to unseat the Chief Justice under the current circumstances.
The lawsuit has sparked significant debate, with legal experts and political commentators weighing in on the potential implications.
Some have described the case as a test of Ghana’s constitutional framework, particularly regarding the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary.
Others have raised concerns about whether the judiciary will rule independently on a matter that directly affects its leadership.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General, who has been named as the defendant in the lawsuit, is expected to respond within 14 days.
The case is being handled by Dame & Partners Unlimited, the law firm of former Attorney-General Godfrey Yaw Dame, signaling the high stakes involved.
With tensions rising over the matter, all eyes are on the Supreme Court as it prepares to deliberate on the case.
The ruling could have far-reaching consequences, influencing how future judicial removals are conducted and shaping the broader conversation on executive influence over independent institutions.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
