A private legal practitioner, Richard Nii Armah, has defended the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, saying President John Dramani Mahama has not breached any law in the process.
Speaking to Desmond Okraku Danso on Metro TV’s News Night on Monday, September 1, Lawyer Nii Armah said the procedure followed was lawful, with the petition being referred to the Council of State and the Chief Justice given the opportunity to respond.
“As far as I’m concerned, the procedure was lawful,” he said.
He emphasized that the committee set up to investigate the petition followed the law and that the Chief Justice was given a fair hearing.
“The committee has met her, listened to her, and decided that she’s guilty. Therefore, she must be removed,” he noted.
Lawyer Richard Nii Armah, however, acknowledged that the removal may have implications for governance and the judiciary, suggesting that the constitution may need to be amended to provide more protection for future Chief Justices.
“Maybe after this incident, we’ll set up and have to look at how the constitution should be amended to ensure that every future justice is protected more than what the law actually affords them to be,” he said.
He also noted that the optics of the removal may be perceived differently internationally, but emphasized that President John Mahama acted within the law.
“It looks like the President has become autocratic. Whereas, he’s not been autocratic. Okay. He has only gone through what the law allows him to do,” he said.
