Aide to Former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari has descended on Gabby Otchere-Darko over his comment regarding the ruling of the Supreme Court on Deputy Speakers' voting rights.
Gabby Otchere-Darko questioned Mr Mahama’s criticism of the Supreme Court justices on the basis that he Mr Mahama has limited understating of the law.
But in a Facebook post, Joyce Bawah Mogtari asked, Who is Gabby, in comparison to Mr John Dramani Mahama?.
She said “And who says one must have a knowledge of the law to proffer an opinion, share a view or criticize rulings of the Supreme Court. Some students of the law and even lawyers lack basic understanding of the Law; the fact that they are lawyers notwithstanding. The SC is not above criticism or scrutiny.
READ ALSO : Read the full ruling of the Supreme Court on Deputy Speakers' voting right
Gabby had said Mr Mahama may be forgiven for his utterances on the Supreme Court ruling on the right of Deputy Speakers to vote while presiding in the House, because his understating of the law is limited.
He however, said the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin who is a lawyer cannot be forgiven for his utterances.
In a tweet on Saturday March 12 he said “You may choose to forgive John Mahama because his elementary understanding of the law is evidently small, going by his reactions to Supreme Court decisions – except ex-presidents are expected not to speak loosely against the 3 arms of Govt. But, what about lawyer Alban Bagbin?”
Full reaction of Joyce Bawah Mogtari:
And who says one must have a knowledge of the law to proffer an opinion, share a view or criticize rulings of the Supreme Court.
Some students of the law and even lawyers lack basic understanding of the Law; the fact that they are lawyers notwithstanding. The SC is not above criticism or scrutiny.
The bedrock of every democracy is freedom of speech first and foremost. To say nobody should criticize an institution created for the people, is within itself absurd.
We should stop making a myth about these Judges; most of them were students at some point, had colleagues at the Bar before becoming judges. They are mandated to defend and protect our rights in a democratic dispensation.
In any case, who is Gabby, in comparison to President John Dramani Mahama? Did Mr. Mahama not support his disagreement with the SC with more cogent, intelligent and practical constitutional arguments than President Akufo-Addo did in his poorly arranged no-question interview?
John Mahama’s understanding of the law, parliamentary and governance experience, practical use of the law etc cannot be disrespected in any way, unless by persons steeped in arrogance, outright disrespect and despotic behaviour.