Ghanatodayonline.com News, Politics, Health, Education & More
Vincent Assafuah, a Member of Parliament for Old Tafo with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), filed an application for an injunction against the process the President is using to possibly remove the Chief Justice from office. The Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing for April 2, 2025. This comes after receiving three petitions.
Shortly before this ruling, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo demanded copies of the three petitions calling for her dismissal from office in a letter to the President, copying other relevant parties.
Shortly following the Old Tafo MP’s Supreme Court action challenging the process being employed to handle the petitions, the CJ made the request.
The plaintiff, who is being represented by former Attorney-General Godfred Dame, believes that before the President consults the Council of State on the petitions, a Chief Justice should be informed of them and asked to respond.
In accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, attested that the three petitions had been sent to the Council of State.
The process is the first step in a constitutional mechanism that might result in major changes to Ghana’s courts, even if the precise grounds for the petitions are still unknown.
It is anticipated that the Council of State will examine the petitions and advise the President on the best course of action.
Chief Justice Torkornoo wrote to the President on Thursday, March 27, asking for a fair chance to address the accusations against her before taking any further action.
“I am by this letter humbly and respectfully asking His Excellency the President and eminent members of the Council of State to forward the petitions against me to me, and allow me at least seven days after receipt of same, to provide my response to you, which response can then form part of the material that you conduct the consultations anticipated under 146 (6), before the possible setting up of a Committee of Inquiry under Article 146 (7),” she stated.
In accordance with Article 2(1)(b) of the 1992 Constitution, Assafuah, acting as a concerned citizen, requests a number of rulings from the Supreme Court, whose original jurisdiction he is utilizing, concerning the interpretation of constitutional clauses pertaining to the dismissal of a Chief Justice.
The lawsuit contends that before consulting the Council of State on the issue, the President must first notify the Chief Justice and solicit the Chief Justice’s input.
Read the documents below for reliefs he is seeking:
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
