Not even President can control Judges - Justice Sophia Akufo

Judge Sophia Akufo who was the presiding judge on the contempt case involving Owners of Accra based Montie FM, presenter of the station and two panelists has stated that judges are independent minded people and cannot be controlled by even the President.

Delivering the ruling of the panel that sat on the contempt case at the Supreme Court Wednesday, she said the third and fourth contemnors Alistair and Ako Gunn willfully attacked the Chief Justice and lowered the authority of the court by insisting that they will not accept its judgment on a controversial matter of the voter's register. She said they also callously reminded the court of the gruesome murder of three High Court judges more than 30 years ago.

She pointed out that there is an element of criminality in their utterances which the Attorney-General should have noticed and acted upon. She quoted constitutional provisions that establish the independence of the judiciary and noted that even the President cannot control judges. The court is deserving of utmost respect if the country’s democracy is to be safeguarded. Any conduct that seeks to interfere with the judiciary is an act against the community. She recites the judicial oath. She referred to Lord Acton, saying that the court has been very circumspect so as not to be seen as stifling media freedom and freedom of speech. "But we have been forced to act", she said. The court summoned the directors because they created the conditions for the scandalous comments to be made but the court has not been impressed by the explanations of the Directors who say they are not directly involved in the running of station. The court says the Directors were irresponsible and careless because as Board members they direct the broad vision of the station. She noted that the host spurred the panelists on to 'open fire'. The host and panelists were reckless and insensitive in their commentary. The panelists were by all means in the studio to attack the judges and could not be bothered that it was the eve of Martyr’s Day. Sophia said the court has taken note of their guilty pleas and plea for mitigation. However they realize that reckless attacks on the court and judges have become rampant even after four politicians were dealt with in 2013 during the Elections Petition after they made contemptuous comments. Sophia says there is the need to hand out punishment deterring enough.

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