Supreme Court Justice nominee Justice Edward Amoako Asante has pledged to uphold the independence of the judiciary, insisting that judges must decide cases solely on the evidence before them and the law without yielding to pressure from those who facilitated their appointment.

Justice Asante made the commitment when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, as part of the vetting of three nominees selected by President John Dramani Mahama for the Supreme Court.

He explained that the judicial oath taken by judges imposes a duty to administer justice impartially and to treat every person who comes before the court fairly, regardless of their status or relationship with those in authority.

According to him, a judge’s responsibility is to assess the facts presented in court and apply the relevant law, rather than allow personal connections or the influence of an appointing authority to shape the outcome of a case.

Justice Asante further underscored the need for judges to cultivate the courage and independence of mind required to resist pressure, saying this is essential to maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.

“As a judge when you’re appointed, you swear an oath which you go by; that is a very important thing that you do to ensure fairness and equity to all manner of persons who appear before you,” he said.

“Judges decide on cases by the facts before them; then you apply the law to the facts. Judges do not go mingling with the appointing authority just because they appointed you,” he said.

“Independence of mind is very important, and that is why I have got to where I am now. I have independence of mind to withstand all kinds of influences, if any, to do my job,” Justice Asante added.