Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has gone to the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Chief Justice to allow some judges to sit and hear selected criminal cases during the legal vacation.

In a writ filed at the Supreme Court, Mr Oppong Nkrumah is asking the court to declare the warrants issued by the Chief Justice for the judges to sit during the legal vacation unconstitutional, null and void.

He argues that the directive is inconsistent with Articles 17(1) and (2), 23 and 296(a) and (b) of the 1992 Constitution, which provide for equality, fairness and the proper exercise of discretionary powers.

The MP is also challenging the decision to prioritise what he describes as “special criminal cases” during the legal vacation while other criminal cases are not heard.

He argues that the practice amounts to selective justice and violates the constitutional principle of equal treatment.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah further contends that the directive affects the right to health of members of the Ghana Bar and the Judicial Service who are required to work during the legal vacation.

He is therefore asking the Supreme Court to declare the directive inconsistent with Articles 24(1) and (2) and 36(10) of the Constitution, which deal with working conditions and the protection of workers.

The MP is challenging Order 79 Rules 1(1) and 2 of the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47).

He wants the court to declare the provisions unconstitutional to the extent that they allow the Chief Justice to select cases for hearing during legal vacations in the same manner as ordinary court sittings.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah has brought the case in his capacity as a Ghanaian citizen, a Member of Parliament and a lawyer.

The Chief Justice and the Attorney General have been named as the defendants in the case and have been directed to file their respective statements of case within 14 days after being served with the plaintiff’s case.

He is asking the Supreme Court to issue any further orders or directions it considers necessary to give effect to its decision.

By: Jacob Aggrey

The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with the Police Management Board (POMAB), met with religious leaders today at the National Police Headquarters in a bid to ease rising tensions across the country.

The engagement follows recent religious controversies that sparked public concern, including an incident where a pastor was allegedly slapped.

According to the IGP, all individuals involved in that case have been arrested and are currently on bail, but Mr. Yohuno stressed that arrests alone won’t secure peace, calling for dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

He urged both Christian and Muslim leaders to use their platforms to preach unity, calm tempers, and counter hateful rhetoric.

“Hurling insults at what millions hold holy and stoking interfaith hostility does not reflect the character of Christ,” the IGP stated.

Also, he said, “No suspect under state custody or in any public space will be subjected to torture.”

He also charged Ghanaians to protect the country’s unity, “Any attack on the unity of this country is an attack on the future of our children. Show the youth that the diversity of faith is our strength.”

Presidential Envoy on Interfaith and Ecumenical Bodies, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, echoed the call for responsible speech.

“When the issue between the pastor, the Imam and the man who slapped the pastor came up, we didn’t sit down. We had a lot of engagements. I encourage Ghanaians to use language that promotes peace and development, and to be mindful of what we say on media, ” he said.

In a powerful symbolic moment, the
National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu who also called for peaceful coexistence, brought together the three men at the center of the controversy; the Imam who made threats over insults to Allah, the Man of God, and one Sibamay Zakaria who slapped the pastor in police custody.

The three embraced during the meeting, sending a strong message of reconciliation.

Member of Parliament for Assin south, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, who was at the ceremony and spoke to ghanaiantimes.gh also reminded the nation of its history of harmony.

“Muslims and Christians have lived in peace for a very long time. We have not had any disturbances, and we should not allow it to ever happen,” he said.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme