Photo:Alexander Kwamena Afenyo -Markin, MP for Effutu
Micro Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has disgracefully launched a full-blown, unwarranted attack on Justice Senyo Amedahe, the Koforidua High Court Judge who issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the embattled Ernest Yaw Kumi for outright contempt and gross disobedience of the court. The so-called legal luminary Afenyo-Markin, who has paraded himself as a staunch defender of the judiciary, shamelessly ridiculed and questioned the very credibility of the judge’s legal education and understanding of the law.
Justice Amedahe, in a ruling that reaffirmed the strength of the judiciary, dismissed claims from the NPP Minority Caucus that Kumi was unable to attend court due to parliamentary duties. He held that the MP had consistently ignored court summons and demonstrated blatant disregard for judicial processes. The judge, standing firmly by his ruling, refused to be swayed by political pressure, insisting that the rule of law must be upheld, regardless of the status of the accused.
But Afenyo-Markin, in a fit of arrogance and desperation, took to Oman FM in an unprovoked verbal assault on the judge, dragging his legal competence into disrepute and even questioning his academic background.
“Under normal circumstances, the judge ought to wait for the gazette because the law says election results shall be gazetted within 21 days before filing. And there’s what we call the security of cost; there must be an application for the court to determine the security. You don’t just file any process in court. In court, the judge claimed he had heard the press conference of the Electoral Commission saying they have gazetted 274 seats, and so he has taken judicial notice. Which law did that judge study? Which school did he attend?” Afenyo-Markin fumed, ridiculing the competence of the judge with sheer contempt and disregard.
This brazen attack on the judiciary has left many in shock, as Afenyo-Markin has long postured as a respecter of legal institutions. His remarks were not only unbecoming of a leader but exposed his deep-seated hypocrisy.
Afenyo-Markin’s unrestrained tirade against Justice Amedahe has sparked widespread condemnation from legal experts and political commentators. Many have described his comments as reckless, shameful, and unbecoming of a lawmaker.
Citizen Ato Dadzie remarked, “This is a clear example of political arrogance. How does a Member of Parliament, trained in law, openly insult a sitting judge simply because the ruling does not favour his party? This is an attack on the judiciary, and it must not go unchallenged.”
Afenyo-Markin’s attack on the judge exposes the NPP’s double standards when it comes to judicial rulings. When decisions go in their favour, they are quick to sing praises about judicial independence. But the moment a ruling goes against them, they unleash vile and unguarded attacks on judges.
Legal observers have pointed out that this is not the first time the NPP has sought to undermine the judiciary when things do not go their way. This latest attack by Afenyo-Markin is part of a worrying trend where party figures openly challenge and insult judges simply because their party members have been caught on the wrong side of the law.
Afenyo-Markin’s disgraceful attack on Justice Senyo Amedahe is a stark reminder of the NPP’s disregard for institutions when the rule of law does not favour them. His unguarded, arrogant remarks not only undermine judicial independence but also expose his deep-seated hypocrisy.
If he has any respect for the legal system, Afenyo-Markin must immediately retract his statements and issue an unqualified apology to the judge and the judiciary as a whole. Anything short of that will confirm what many already suspect—the NPP only respects the judiciary when it serves their interests!
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