Chief Justice, EC boss will Go – Mustapha Gbande vows shake-up

Mustapha Gbande, Deputy Director of Operations at the presidency, criticized the previous administration. He accused former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of manipulating the judiciary for political protection.

In an interview on 3FM with Mawuena Egbeta, Gbande claimed that Akufo-Addo filled the courts with loyal judges. This was to protect his appointees from prosecution.

He referenced the controversial removal of Charlotte Osei, the former Electoral Commission chairperson. “We haven’t amended our laws; he removed her despite independent institutions,” he said.

Gbande stated that the current administration will take a different approach. They will assess each official based on individual merit rather than repeating past actions.

“We are here to deal with everyone on a case-by-case basis,” he added. He mentioned that key positions like the Chief Justice and EC chairperson would change soon.

Gbande stressed that reforms require addressing political bias in the judiciary. “Akufo-Addo packed the judiciary so his appointees could escape accountability,” he said.

He concluded by stating that without cleaning up the judiciary, progress is impossible. “The current Chief Justice is politically exposed,” he noted.