Joyce Bawah Mogtari, the special aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, has taken a swipe at New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko for criticising her boss over last Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling.
Following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that Deputy Speakers of Parliament can be counted and vote on decisions in the House, Mahama described the decision as “shocking but not surprising.”
He added: “An unfortunate interpretation for convenience that sets a dangerous precedent of judicial interference in Parliamentary procedure for the future.”
In direct response, Gabby tweeted: “You may choose to forgive John Mahama because his elementary understanding of the law is evidently small, going by his reactions to Supreme Court decisions – except ex-presidents are expected not to speak loosely against the 3 arms of Govt. But, what about lawyer Alban Bagbin?”
Mahama’s aide, Mogtari also took to Facebook to fire back at Gabby for questioning the legal proficiency of the 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
See her statement below:
And who says one must have a knowledge of the law to proffer an opinion, share a view or criticize rulings of the Supreme Court.
Some students of the law and even lawyers lack basic understanding of the Law; the fact that they are lawyers notwithstanding. The SC is not above criticism or scrutiny.
The bedrock of every democracy is freedom of speech first and foremost. To say nobody should criticize an institution created for the people, is within itself absurd.
We should stop making a myth about these Judges; most of them were students at some point, had colleagues at the Bar before becoming judges. They are mandated to defend and protect our rights in a democratic dispensation.
In any case, who is Gabby, in comparison to President John Dramani Mahama? Did Mr. Mahama not support his disagreement with the SC with more cogent, intelligent and practical constitutional arguments than President Akufo-Addo did in his poorly arranged no-question interview?
John Mahama’s understanding of the law, parliamentary and governance experience, practical use of the law etc cannot be disrespected in any way, unless by persons steeped in arrogance, outright disrespect and despotic behaviour.
GhanaFeed.com
