General News of Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Source: The New Free Press

Editorial: Chiefs must stay out of supreme court case

It has come to the notice of The New Free Press that the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, backed by President John Mahama have been making all sorts of phone calls and sending delegations putting undue pressure on Justice William Atuguba, the Presiding Judge to do whatever he can to make sure that the President John Mahama wins the case. This sort of naked tribalism and inward looking nepotism is extremely dangerous and if care is not taken we will be on the road to destruction.

Already there is a lot of disquiet and anger at the way Justice William Atuguba is handling the case and to have backdoor manipulation and interference not on evidence or factual information but on tribal allegiance and family is downright shameful and despicable.

We call on the President of the National House of chiefs Professor Nabila to call the Northern Regional house of chiefs to order. Recently, we had cause to express the same sentiments on the behaviour of the Asantehene who went far as descending to Accra giving conflicting messages to different individuals, a situation that created more uncertainty.

The Supreme court is not their palace , courtyard or durbar ground. It is the court of the land where fairness and justice is sought and they should allow the wheels of freedom and justice to grind along take its course.

Suraju Musah Mohammed
Roland Amankwanor
Managing Editors
New Free Press