"It’s Political Theatre, Not a Crisis": Legal Expert Dismisses Claims of a 'Weaponised' Judiciary in Ghana

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has pushed back against growing allegations that Ghana’s judiciary is deliberately fast-tracking politically motivated cases, describing the claims as a predictable, cyclical feature of the country’s political landscape.

The outspoken lawyer’s comments come amid heated public discourse following the conviction of Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). Wontumi was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison over his involvement in illegal mining activities linked to Akonta Mining Company—a ruling that has reignited fierce debate over the integrity and speed of the justice system.

The controversy was stoked further when Samuel Atta Akyea, counsel for Chairman Wontumi, accused the judiciary of operating in “ambulance mode” when dealing with politically charged cases—a statement that many have interpreted as a veiled attack on the courts.

"This Has Been Happening Since Nkrumah's Time"

Speaking on News Digest on Saturday, July 25, Martin Kpebu rejected the notion that the current administration is uniquely targeting political opponents.

“This concern is cyclical—it keeps coming back,” Kpebu stated. “Every time there is a change in government, the party that finds itself in opposition resurrects the same grievance. It’s almost ritualistic.”

He traced the pattern back through Ghana’s political history, citing the prosecution of Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, the high-profile collapse of Menzgold, and even the legal battles faced by former National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials during President John Agyekum Kufuor’s tenure.

“History shows that these accusations have been around since at least 2001, and if you dig deeper, you will find them even in the days of Kwame Nkrumah. This is not new,” he added. “It would actually be unusual if the opposition didn’t make such claims.”

A Necessary 'Check' on Power?

While dismissing the allegations as routine political rhetoric, Kpebu acknowledged that such accusations serve a vital function in Ghana’s democracy.

“The accusations can continue—not because they are always true, but because they act as a warning to the government and the judiciary. They serve as public scrutiny that keeps institutions in check, just in case anything untoward is being planned,” he explained.

His remarks offer a nuanced perspective in a sharply divided public debate: that while the claims may lack immediate substance, the conversation itself is a safeguard for accountability.

As Ghana’s political temperature rises ahead of future electoral cycles, Kpebu’s intervention serves as a reminder that the perception of justice remains as critical as its delivery.

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Source; Citinewsroom.com