A Member of Parliament has voiced strong reservations about how Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, is being handled in a high-profile removal process.
Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament on Friday, June 27, the MP for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who is also a legal practitioner, described the ongoing proceedings as fundamentally flawed and lacking fairness.
He believes the committee in charge has failed in one of the most basic expectations, providing the Chief Justice with a copy of the petition against her.
“It is an unfortunate situation that the very head of our justice administration is having to go through this. She should have everything necessary to defend herself. In the absence of that, I feel the process has been undermined, and it lacks integrity,” he stated.
Justice Torkornoo, suspended earlier by President John Mahama following the establishment of a prima facie case against her, has also raised serious concerns.
At her press conference on Wednesday, June 25, she described the process as one that violates key principles of justice.
According to her, she received no official copy of the petition except for an excerpt cited by the President. She lamented being denied access to vital information, including the allegations and the right to cross-examine petitioners.
She also expressed discomfort with the security arrangements and treatment she received during hearings.
The President, in consultation with the Council of State, established a five-member committee to investigate the petitions under Article 146(6) of the Constitution.
