Private legal practitioner, Mr. Kofi Bekai, has expressed his disappointment regarding the swift removal of Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkornoo from her position as Chief Justice.
Mr. Bekai described the entire process and the stated grounds for her removal as “unfortunate.”
He believes this action will have significant implications for the country, particularly concerning foreign investment.
Speaking on the “Frontline” program on Rainbow Radio 97.5FM, the lawyer acknowledged that President John Dramani Mahama has the constitutional authority to remove the Chief Justice.
However, he contended that the process and the grounds for removal were not “meritorious.”
When questioned about Justice Torkornoo’s future, specifically if she could resume practicing as a private legal practitioner, Mr.
Bekai responded in the affirmative.
He drew a parallel to the judges who were removed following the Anas bribery exposé, noting that some of them have since returned to private practice.
“Justice Gertrude Torkornoo can go back to private practice as a lawyer. Why can’t she do that?” he questioned.
“Some judges who were removed after the Anas exposé are now back practicing as private legal practitioners.
Her law license is her bona fide property, and nobody can take that away from her. The government or the president is not the one that gave her that license. She can go back to law practice or establish a consultancy firm,” he stated.
Mr. Bekai emphasised that the removal of a Chief Justice is a grave matter that should not be politicized. He warned that if handled improperly and politicized, such actions could have negative implications for the country’s bilateral relations.
In a separate development, Mr. Bekai also criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for allegedly threatening to remove any new Chief Justice appointed by President John Dramani Mahama.
He labeled the statement as “retrogressive,” adding that the precedent set by the current administration has made it “cheaper” for political factions to file petitions to remove a Chief Justice from one government to the next.
“It is a terrible thing to say. It has become more of a political dynamic for our politicians to do these things. You will not stay in power forever. You will have a maximum of eight years, and the power you had in doing these things may get into the hands of others, and they will also use the same powers in doing these same things,” he cautioned.
He concluded by urging the government to provide Justice Torkornoo with her gratuity or end-of-service benefits, as he believes she was unjustly “robbed” of her office.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
