Sammy Awuku: I only apologised for my choice of words…

Aspiring National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party, Sammy Awuku, has downplayed the role played by the Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba, who he believes does not qualify to be the "man of the century."

Justice William Atuguba was hailed by former President Jerry John Rawlings for his tenacity and leadership style during the election petition hearing.

Addressing a congregation at the University for Development Studies (UDS), former President Rawlings eulogized the Supreme Court Justice, stating that during the 8-month hearing of the presidential election petition at the highest court of the land, Ghana was at the verge of anarchy, but the shrewd leadership of the president of the nine-member panel, Justice Atuguba, ensured that "order was restored."

He said while both the petitioners and respondents together with their followers deserved respect, "the greatest news, however, was the manner in which the presiding judge, Justice William Atuguba conducted the entire proceedings."

"The great Justice Atuguba's brand of leadership on the bench helped to restore some of the image the judiciary had lost over the years. His ability to stamp his authority and expose the indiscipline that some of the parties in the case were exhibiting served as a greater complement to all the peace initiatives that we all lent a hand to," he noted.

But speaking on Oman FM's political show, Sammy Awuku found it strange that the former president singled out Justice Atuguba for such praise.

According to him, Justice Atuguba does not deserve to be hailed in such fashion because he seemingly exhibited sheer bias towards NPP activists, particularly himself and the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Searchlight, Ken Kuranchie, who were cited for contempt.

He, therefore, defended his position, for which he was cited for contempt and dragged before the Judges to be sanctioned, claiming he never apologized to them as a result of the remarks he made on the partiality of the court.

Rather he rendered an apology to the Judges over the usage of a particular word in his comments which they found contemptible.

He said; "If the use of the word 'hypocritical' is what you found offensive, then I withdraw and apologize. I didn't apologize for my whole context because of course; the court also believes that people must also have the right to criticize them. Then, Ken Kuranchie also came in my defense and that of Daily Guide, but those who made very dangerous and subversive comment, undermining the administration of justice were in the house, watching and ridiculing us," he stated.

To him, it will never be in his diary to "select Justice Atuguba as my man of the century".