The Majority caucus in Parliament has expressed support for Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s request for five additional judges to the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice has presented five judges to President Akufo-Addo to be nominated to the Supreme Court, citing the high volume of cases handled by the apex court.
According to the Chief Justice, this significant move is to strengthen the judiciary with highly qualified and experienced legal minds.
The proposed judges include Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuour, and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.
READ ALSO: Chief Justice Defends Request For Additional Supreme Court Judges
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised this move as unlawful.
However, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended the move, asserting that it falls within legal boundaries.
Addressing journalists in Parliament in Accra on Monday, Mr Afenyo-Markin stated, “We’ve become aware that the chief justice has mooted a proposal to expand the supreme court to 20 judges for efficiency and effectiveness.
“Some people are saying that the Chief Justice does not have such a mandate to do so. We disagree and would say that per article 125 (4) of the constitution, there are some inherent powers provided for in this provision that allow the Chief Justice as a chief executive and head of the judiciary to make such proposals. Quote, ‘the chief justice shall subject to this constitution, be head of the judiciary, and shall be responsible for the administration and supervision of the judiciary’.
“When somebody is in charge of the management of a body he can determine how to run the place efficiently, what would make the work of that institution be properly done, and to make proposals within the context of the law.
“The framers of our constitution in their wisdom gave us a minimum ceiling. What did they anticipate? The anticipation was that there could be a possibility in future to increase the number. That is why they did not provide for an upper ceiling… So if you read this and juxtapose it against the 125, 125, 4 that I earlier referred to, clearly you cannot argue that any increase in the number of judges at the Supreme Court above 10 is unconstitutional or that the chief justice is wrong in making such a suggestion or proposal.”