Francis-Xavier Sosu slams ‘bias’ GBA; describes them as monumental failure to democracy

The Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu has hit hard at the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and accused them of being biased.

According to him, the GBA’s statement in response to his interview is misplaced in its scheme of objectives adding that the association has become “rather a monumental failure to our democracy.”

Mr Sosu who joined the last Friday’s Yentua demonstration against the government’s decision to pass the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy which imposes a 1.75% levy on all electronic transactions cautioned judges in the country to desist from being political in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking to the media, he said that undermines the integrity of the judiciary; saying those who conduct themselves in that manner may be dealt with politically when there’s a change of power.

Describing the Madina MP’s comments as unfortunate, the GBA in a statement issued on Monday, February 14, also described the remarks by the NDC lawmaker as ‘ignorant’ and ‘irresponsible’, with the possibility of courting disaffection for the judges and exposing them to danger.

“The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has noted with disquiet and grave disappointment the assertion by Francis Xavier Sosu Esq. that some Judges are ‘political judges’. The said assertion by Francis-Xavier Sosu, Member of Parliament for the Madina Constituency, was made during an interview he granted the media and is contained in a video that is available on social media.”

“In the interview, Mr Sosu suggested that the tenure of office of judges is tied to the tenure of the political regime under which judges are appointed, and that ‘political judges will be treated politically’. He also said that ‘political judges’ would lose their offices when the political regimes whose bidding such judges do, are no longer in power.”

“The GBA finds the assertion by Francis-Xavier Sosu very unprofessional, unfortunate, irresponsible and distasteful and same smacks of deep-seated ignorance, as the tenure of judges per the Constitution, 1992, and other relevant laws is never in any way whatsoever tied to the tenure of the political regime under which judges are appointed.”

But in a sharp rebuttal, the Madina MP insisted that he stands by his statement.

“It is a wonder to know that the Ghana Bar Association still exists in this country following your loud silence on critical matters of national concern which relate to the Bar, Legal Education, Mistreatment of Lawyers, lack of welfare for Lawyers, Human Rights abuses, Press freedom and justice delivery among others in Ghana,” he said.

“The statement was a conditional statement and no amount of twists and turns will extricate judicial officers and judges who will allow themselves to become agents of political agenda.”

“My statement was clear ‘If you are a political judge, you will be dealt with politically… Judges owe a duty to the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the laws of Ghana. If a judge allows him or herself to become an agent of a Political party, the tenure of the said judge will run with the political parties they favour’.

He also blamed the GBA of political bias which he says is affecting its core duties.

“Unfortunately, the leadership’s Release shows the extent to which they are politically affiliated and biased as Leaders of the Bar Association. Who in Ghana does not know that the GBA Leadership are so politically biased?. What are the core duties of the GBA?”

“Again, I have noted the lame attempt by the GBA Leadership to prepare the ground to construe my statements as a Professional Misconduct Contrary to Rule 52 of L. 12423. My statement as a whole did not violate Rule 52 and can never be said to be irresponsible and unethical. Since when did speaking TRUTH to power become unethical and irresponsibility?” he quizzed.

The MP also challenged the Association to channel its energies towards regaining its “lost focus and relevance.”

“Let me remind the GBA Leadership that it has a duty to ensure “the maintenance of the Independence of the Judiciary.” How can you achieve this object if judges allow themselves to be influenced politically? For the rest of the objects, I beg to leave it here else we wash our dirty linen in public,” he said.

Source: Thenewsroomo