The National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Salam Mustapha, has cautioned that any Chief Justice appointed during President John Dramani Mahama’s tenure could be ousted by a future NPP administration.
His warning follows the “crude” suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, which he argues threatens the apolitical nature of the judiciary.
Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV, Mustapha criticised the manner in which the current administration has handled the suspension.
“Whether His Excellency John Dramani Mahama wants a third term or not, this is a crude way to go about it,” he said, suggesting the move was less about legal process and more about political manoeuvring.
He stressed that politicising the office of the Chief Justice would leave it exposed to the changing fortunes of whichever party holds power.
“Because what essentially you are doing is making the office of the Chief Justice coterminous with the party in power,” Mustapha remarked, warning of the long‑term damage to judicial independence.
Mustapha did not hesitate to promise reciprocal action.
“If you go ahead with what is going on, with the suspension that has been handed to her, and then a committee comes and says she should go, then anyone you bring—by the grace of God—any time we come into office, we’ll remove any CJ you put there.”
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