Judge Nominee’s Fate Hangs in Balance
EXPLOSIVE allegations have rocked Parliament, bringing the vetting of Supreme Court judge nominee Justice Kweku T. Ackaah-Boafo to a screeching halt.
The esteemed Court of Appeal Justice now faces an indefinite delay in his bid for the nation’s highest court, all thanks to a last-minute petition lobbed at Parliament’s Appointments Committee. And believe us, it’s a bombshell.
This unexpected twist has thrown Justice Ackaah-Boafo’s career into immediate uncertainty, with serious claims of judicial bias and misconduct threatening to derail his ascension.
‘ARROGANT, BIASED, POWER-DRUNK’
The petition, sent straight to Speaker Alban Bagbin for urgent action, comes from none other than self-proclaimed “international human rights activist” Anthony Kwabenya Rau. And he hasn’t held back
Rau’s astonishing complaint accuses Justice Ackaah-Boafo of “exhibiting extreme bias and employing inappropriate language” during previous court sessions.
He even points to a fiery bust-up at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) courts.
According to Rau, the judge “insulted and attacked” him during a hearing, bizarrely labelling him a “so-called ‘Messiah’ international Human Rights Activist” and questioning his right to represent clients in Ghana.
But it gets worse! The petitioner claims the judge’s official written judgment even included personal insults – which Rau sees as “irrefutable evidence of bias and corruption.”
Rau’s petition pulls no punches, branding Justice Ackaah-Boafo “arrogant, biased, power-drunk, an abuser of human rights and supportive of corruption.”
And he delivers a chilling warning: “For me, he will be a disaster at the Supreme Court if approved for the international and national interest of the republic. These are my reasons to petition the vetting committee not to approve this particular judge.” Blimey
CULTURE CLASH AND POLITICAL CLAIMS
The drama doesn’t stop there! Rau’s explosive petition also raises questions about the judge’s understanding of cultural nuances, hinting at his Canadian heritage and questioning his respect for local traditions.
The petitioner, 67, even suggests the judge showed “disrespect” due to his age.
And for good measure, there are additional claims about the judge’s behaviour after a case involving the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, alleging he turned down interest payments BEFORE his elevation to the Court of Appeal by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo. Crikey.
JUDGE’S ALLIES FIGHT BACK.
However, sources close to Justice Ackaah-Boafo have vehemently denied these bombshell allegations, outright rejecting the petition.
They’re clearly fuming over the delay but insist the judge is “steadfast and prepared to confront the committee” when the hearing finally restarts. It’s set to be a fiery showdown.
This entire saga throws a spotlight on the delicate balance between judicial independence and accountability in Ghana’s top legal appointments.
All eyes are now on Speaker Bagbin, whose ruling will shape the future of Justice Ackaah-Boafo’s nomination and could even set a precedent for future vetting procedures.
Will Justice Ackaah-Boafo clear his name and take his seat on the Supreme Court? Or will these explosive claims sink his judicial dreams? Only time will tell.
By Philip Antoh