We're ruled by law, not by men: Amaliba asks Akufo-Addo to respect court processes

A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, Abraham Amaliba has asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to respect court processes and shelve the appointment of a new Electoral Commission Chair. Abraham Amaliba’s comment is in relation to the nomination of IEA’s Jean Mensa as EC Chair following the removal of Charlotte Osei, and the subsequent law suit seeking injunction against the appointment of the EC chairperson. Mrs. Osei was removed as EC boss together with two of her deputies, Georgina Opoku Amankwah and Amadu Sulley after complaints from some workers of the Electoral Commission. Meanwhile, a private citizen, Fafali Nyonator has filed an interlocutory injunction against the President’s appointment until the Supreme Court hears another case challenging the sacking of former EC Chair, Charlotte Osei. According to Abraham Amaliba who was speaking on TV3 New Day on Wednesday, July 25, President Akufo-Addo would be abusing his powers as the president by disobeying the court processes, demanding that the president respected the rule of separation of powers. “What the president did …was a complete abuse of power.” Mr. Amaliba said both the president and his executive secretary are lawyers, and are very much aware of court processes; hence, they ought to respect the law. “We are not ruled by men, never mind that Akufo-Addo is a strong man, we are ruled by law.” He further noted that the right thing for the president to do is to make a case in court for the injunction to be dismissed, and not disrespect the judiciary. He insisted that the president can still perform his presidential duties without disrespecting court orders. “Never mind that we are being told that we cannot stop the president from performing his constitutional duty, but you must respect court processes,” Abraham Amaliba stressed. By Helena Chaway|editors.3news.com|Ghana