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President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has drawn harsh criticism from the Minority in Parliament, which terms the action “tyranny” and a departure from decent governance.
A prima facie case was made about three petitions that sought the Chief Justice’s removal from office, which led to the suspension.
The decision lays the groundwork for a formal investigation of Ghana’s top judge, which was made in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and after consulting the Council of State.
As a result, a five-member committee was established to look into the issue under Article 146(6).
The Minority called the suspension a politically driven witch hunt intended to manipulate the judiciary and misuse authority recklessly in a news release released on Tuesday, April 22.
The President’s decision, according to the minority, is neither a legitimate attempt to “reset” the legal system nor an example of good administration.
The suspension is part of a larger pattern of political persecution and the abuse of governmental institutions to intimidate opponents, the Minority further said.
“The decision by President John Dramani Mahama to suspend Her Ladyship Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo under the purported authority of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, is nothing short of a brazen judicial coup, a reckless abuse of Executive power, and a direct assault on the independence of Ghana’s Judiciary.
“This move, taken while legitimate legal challenges are pending before the Supreme Court, reeks of intolerable political vendetta, Judicial intimidation, and a calculated attempt to pack the courts with NDC-sympathetic justices – as openly promised by President Mahama in Akosombo in 2023.”
The Minority called for the Chief Justice to be reinstated immediately while the Supreme Court decided the outstanding legal issues.
“A halt to all removal proceedings until the judiciary has conclusively ruled on the constitutionality of the process.
“The integrity of Ghana’s judiciary is non-negotiable. We shall vigorously oppose any and all attempts to turn our courts into political tools.”
The Minority issued a warning that there would be strong public and legal opposition to any future attempts to harass, threaten, or forcibly remove the Chief Justice.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
