No politician has called me on cases I have handled - Supreme Court Judge

Supreme Court Justice, Dennis Dominic Adjei, has dismissed claims that politicians influence judges in the determination of cases, insisting that no politician has ever contacted him over any matter before him.

According to Justice Adjei, throughout his years on the bench, including his time at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, he has handled several high-profile cases without receiving any attempt by a politician to influence his decisions.

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Speaking on GHOne on Thursday, July 9, 2026, he maintained his claim adding that he believes the same principle applies to many of his colleagues.

"I've been on the bench for 16 years and three days at the Supreme Court. No politician has ever called me in respect of a matter before me. And you know, even Court of Appeal, I determined several important cases including ‘Let My Vote Count’. I sat and wrote judgments in respect of them, but nobody has ever called me.

"So, if nobody has called me, then I presume that nobody has called any other person because if they haven't called me, why should I think that they haven't called me, but they'll call my brother?" he said.

Justice Adjei also rejected the perception that judges become loyal to the government simply because they are appointed by the President.

He stressed that judicial appointments do not make judges agents of any political party and pointed to the oaths judges swear before assuming office as a guarantee of their independence.

"It is the duty of president to appoint whenever there are vacancies. The fact that you are appointing does not mean that the person is becoming an appendage to your party. You know, that is why we take the three oaths. We take oath of office, oath of secrecy, then judicial oath to do justice to all manner of persons,” he stated.

The Supreme Court judge further said judges are expected to decide cases strictly in accordance with the law and not based on political considerations.

He noted that any judge who allows a politician to dictate how a case should be decided would have failed in their constitutional duty.

"We are not politicians and we are not supposed to wear political hats. So as a judge, if you are sitting, you must do your work according to the law, because why should we sit down for a politician to tell you do this and you do it? Then in that sense you have abdicated your role as a judge and has given it to that politician,” he indicated.

Justice Adjei also addressed public criticism that often follows court rulings, saying allegations of political influence usually arise only when one side loses a case.

He maintained that such claims are unfair and do not reflect how judges carry out their work.

"If the government loses, they don't talk. It is the government that is annoyed. But if those who came to court, they lose, they say it is because it was the government that appointed them.

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"If people think that because you appointed me to the Court of Appeal, or appointed me to the Supreme Court, you can manipulate me [it is not so]. Nobody has ever approached me. Subconsciously, I know that I must do what is right in accordance with the law,” he stated.

MAG/VPO

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