Private legal practitioner Kofi Bekai has admonished the five-member committee set up by President John Dramani Mahama to look into the petitions against suspended Chief Justice objectively.
He is proposing a transparent process that will allow Ghanaians to know the details and circumstances surrounding the issues against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
President John Mahama on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, suspended the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
The Chief Justice was suspended following the establishment of a committee to investigate petitions against her.
The president cited Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the establishment of a committee to investigate allegations against a superior court judge if a prima facie case is established.
A statement issued by the presidency said that President Mahama determined that sufficient grounds exist to warrant further inquiry.
Mr Bekai noted that the composition of the committee looking into the matter is another thing to deal with.
‘’The members of the committee should be clear in their minds and be objective in what they do while probing the matter. They should not allow any political machinations and attempts to remove the Chief Justice at all costs cloud their judgement.’’
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he opined that the ongoing process had taken a political twist because President Mahama, while in opposition, indicated that the judiciary needed a reset and change in leadership.
”This is something they had planned to do. If the president, who met with opposition lawyers during the campaign, advised them to be prepared to move to the bench because Nana Akufo-Addo had packed the room with NPP members and also called for a change in the judiciary’s leadership, what is happening now suggests a political agenda to remove the chief justice. Article 146 outlines the process for removing the Chief Justice, but is what is happening now a political agenda? If that’s the case, who are the people involved? “This is unprecedented.”
He stressed that the composition of the committee probing the matter is a bit problematic since some of them are sympathisers of the NDC, ’and they will establish that the allegations against her are true. I am saddened because what is happening is unfortunate, and the signal it sends is not the best, especially for the investors.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana