IGP Must Investigate Threats Against Chief Justice � GBA

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to open investigations into threats and harassment against the Chief Justice, Justice Georgina Wood. The Association�s plea comes on the back of a 14-day ultimatum given the Chief Justice to resign by a group calling itself Network of Social Democrats. Addressing the press in Accra on Friday June 25, President of the Ghana Bar Association, Frank Beecham noted that it is about time the police steps in to investigate what it deems a threat on the Chief Justice. �Since the Network of Social Democrats has decided to take the law into their own hands to coerce the Chief Justice of the republic to leave office by threats and harassment, we call on the executive to take appropriate steps to protect Justice Georgina Wood and more importantly the position of the Chief Justice. �We also call on the IGP to investigate these threats and pursue appropriate action as enjoined by the constitution and the laws of the land�. The GBA also said it has resolved to stoutly defend the independence of the Judiciary and to support judges in the pursuit of justice. According the GBA, it will not shield any of its members who demonize judges without substantive evidence. �The Bar would not support cowards who make blanket statements against all judges and subject them to public ridicule or disaffection. We would never support any of our own who interferes in the administration of Justice nor applaud those who demonize judges without evidence. �The GBA would forever fight for the rule of law and would not allow anyone to denigrate the high office of the Chief Justice of Ghana�. The Association added that it will no longer tolerate what it termed �a deliberate attempt to subject the judiciary and the Chief Justice to threats and public ridicule�.