Maverick lawyer Maurice Ampaw, has described the judiciary as a human institution governed by the constitution.
“We should be careful not to demonise every institution because this may lead to injustice everywhere in the sense that, anytime there is a government in power nobody will believe the system it puts in place which will end up destroying various institutions.”
In an interview on Ahotor FM’s talk show “Asem Yi Di Ka” with host Emmanuel Martey aka Alaska the Don, Lawyer Maurice Ampaw talking about the independence of the judiciary described the judiciary as a human institution. In his view, every human institution has its strengths and weaknesses.
Lawyer Ampaw who practices with Ahmed Legal Consult in addition to being the founder of Legal Advocacy Foundation noted that there are judges who are appointed by the President into the Supreme Court in accordance with the constitution and others who may apply to get there.
He noted that Ghanaian culture is such that, we know and develop relationships with each other since we belong to ethnic groups, families and other back grounds. This makes people develop some kind of philosophy that has a touch of bias and interests.
“The moment the judiciary is painted in a particular type of light it creates anarchy and disrespect and the moment people lose respect for the court, that leads to war.”
Lawyer Ampaw indicated that if any judge should pass a judgement, we should observe and see if the judgement was passed in accordance with the law or out of his or her own free will and personal interest.
He advised that, if a lawyer is going to court for a case, he or she should prepare well before going to court and this will not give room for any judge to be biased in passing judgements.
He cautions, “We should be careful not to demonise every institution because this may lead to injustice everywhere in the sense that, anytime there is a government in power nobody will believe the system it puts in place which will end up destroying various institutions.”
“The moment the judiciary is painted in a particular type of light it creates anarchy and disrespect and the moment people lose respect for the court, that leads to war.”
Asem Yi Di airs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7.00 – 10.00 pm.
Bernice Elorm Kutsuoke
