Afenyo-Markin slams judiciary, says judges are serving ‘paymasters’ after Kpandai election annulment

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has launched a scathing attack on Ghana’s judiciary, accusing it of acting in the interest of political actors following the Tamale High Court’s decision to annul the 2024 parliamentary election in the Kpandai Constituency.

On Monday, the court upheld a petition filed by the NDC candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, who argued that the December 7, 2024, election was marred by significant irregularities. The court subsequently ordered a rerun within 30 days, a ruling that has sparked fierce reactions from the Minority.

Addressing journalists in Parliament on Wednesday, November 26, Mr Afenyo-Markin described the court’s conduct as “shameful,” insisting judges were serving the interests of their “paymasters.”

“The judiciary must know that their actions and inaction to serve the interests of whoever their paymaster is have the tendency of destroying our peaceful republic. We will not mince words. They can conspire to call us one by one for a so-called contempt of court.

“We are criticising their shameful conduct. We are not afraid. We are ready to be in Nsawam for their so-called contempt. The world will see their disgraceful conduct,” he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin further took issue with how the ruling was delivered, calling it unprecedented and legally troubling.

“How can a judge who calls himself a judge, sit in court and misconduct himself in such a manner and expect the country to be quiet? This order, with massive political, legal, and democratic consequences, was pronounced without a full written judgment.

“There were no written reasons, no factual findings, no legal analysis, just a naked directive issued into the public domain. And now the whole constituency is being told there must be a rerun.”

He noted that while courts sometimes give rulings with reasons to follow, this cannot be accepted in a case of such magnitude.

“I am a practising lawyer of experience at the bar. I understand that courts occasionally deliver rulings with reasons to follow. But such a practice is the exception, not the rule. And it is never acceptable when the stakes are this high.”

The Effutu MP also alleged that the NDC had prior knowledge of the court’s decision before it was officially delivered, raising further concerns about transparency and fairness in the judicial process.