Gbande Accuses Afenyo-Markin of Having Secret Stake in Judiciary

Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has accused Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, of having a conflict of interest regarding the Judiciary.

Speaking on PM Express, Mr. Gbande alleged that Mr. Afenyo-Markin’s actions contributed to the public distrust faced by former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, and that the Efutu MP personally undermined her image.

He stated that he had harboured concerns about Justice Torkonoo’s appointment from the beginning, referencing a petition that raised questions about her suitability. “The matter was never about President Mahama or the NDC,” he emphasized, “it was about ensuring the integrity of the Judiciary.”

Mr. Gbande contrasted Justice Torkonoo’s tenure with that of her predecessor, Justice Sophia Akuffo, whom he praised for her competent and untainted leadership. “I would support Justice Akuffo again if the opportunity came,” he said. “She discharged herself without public suspicion, something I cannot say of Justice Torkonoo.”

According to Mr. Gbande, Mr. Afenyo-Markin “destroyed” the former Chief Justice by politicizing her position and portraying her as a facilitator for individuals seeking to evade justice. “If she had anyone to accuse, it should be him,” he asserted.

When challenged to provide evidence, Mr. Gbande claimed Mr. Afenyo-Markin has never denied benefiting from the Judiciary, stating that the Minority Leader’s companies were involved in business dealings with the institution. He maintained that while Mr. Afenyo-Markin hasn’t explicitly confirmed this, his silence is telling.

Mr. Gbande dismissed suggestions that the Majority in Parliament was solely responsible for the criticism leveled against Justice Torkonoo, placing the blame squarely on Mr. Afenyo-Markin. He further clarified that the NDC did not engineer her removal from office, although he admitted to actively participating in advocacy against her.

“I took part in the advocacy and spoke against the former Chief Justice anytime I had the opportunity,” he confirmed. He added that his principles would prevent him from remaining silent even if a future NDC administration were to act improperly. “I would even speak against President Mahama if I felt he was wrong,” he stated.

Mr. Gbande believes Justice Torkonoo could have avoided much of the controversy by keeping politics separate from her judicial duties. He acknowledged that no public officer is flawless, but stressed the importance of safeguarding the nation’s interests.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Gbande expressed his commitment to building a better Ghana, stating his desire for his children to remain and thrive in the country. “I am not ready to take my children abroad, Ghana is a prosperous country and must be made better,” he said.

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