NPP's Aboagye accuses judiciary of selective justice amid planned protest

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, an aspiring National Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has intensified criticism of Ghana's judiciary, accusing it of selective application of justice in handling high-profile criminal cases. His remarks come as the NPP prepares for a planned demonstration to protest what the party views as unfair treatment of some individuals by state institutions.

Speaking on JoyNews' PM Express on Tuesday, Mr Aboagye pointed to recent high-profile cases involving NPP figures as evidence of judicial bias. He specifically referenced the incarceration of Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) and the case involving former MASLOC Chief Executive Sedinam Tamakloe, arguing that these developments reflect a broader pattern of selective justice.

Concerns about judicial independence

The opposition communicator has raised alarm bells about what he describes as the judiciary becoming too close to the Executive. Mr Aboagye disclosed that he had written directly to the Chief Justice expressing these concerns, though he received a response from the Judicial Secretary rather than the Chief Justice himself.

Despite this engagement, Mr Aboagye maintains that the judiciary must be insulated from political pressure. "I am of the view that we need to keep our judiciary very far away from our politics, far, far, far away from our politics," he stated, emphasising the importance of institutional independence.

When pressed for specifics, Mr Aboagye illustrated his concerns by pointing to how certain criminal cases are selected for trial during legal vacations whilst others remain pending. He argued that when courts choose to proceed with some criminal cases whilst suspending others during scheduled breaks, it constitutes selective justice.

The mechanics of selective justice

Mr Aboagye's primary criticism centres on what he views as arbitrary case selection. He explained that Ghana's courts handle numerous criminal and civil cases at any given time, with some predating 2020. However, when the legal vacation period arrives annually, courts allegedly select only certain criminal cases to proceed whilst requiring others to continue through the legal calendar without break.

"Every year you go on your legal vacation. This year, you are going on legal vacation, and you say that even though all of you are being tried for criminal cases, I have selected a few of you, and as for you, you can't go and rest. You must go through the criminal procedure. That is selective justice," he explained.

Why it matters for Ghana

The concerns raised by Mr Aboagye touch on fundamental principles critical to Ghana's democracy and rule of law. Public confidence in the judiciary depends heavily on the perception that cases are handled fairly and consistently, regardless of political affiliation or status. When opposition parties or the public perceive bias in case selection or handling, it undermines trust in institutions essential to democratic governance.

Ghana's constitution establishes judicial independence as a cornerstone of the three-branch system of government. Accusations of executive influence over judicial decisions—whether real or perceived—threaten this separation of powers. The NPP's planned demonstration reflects broader national conversations about accountability and fairness in how Ghana's justice system operates.

Mr Aboagye's engagement with the Judicial Secretary suggests recognition of legitimate concerns within institutional circles, though his continued public criticism indicates dissatisfaction with responses so far. As Ghana approaches future elections and navigates complex political tensions, the integrity of judicial processes will likely remain under scrutiny from all sides of the political spectrum.