A former Director of the Ghana Law School, Mr Kwaku Ansah-Asare has asked the embattled Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo to apologise to the nation for disrespecting the President, John Mahama.
He said the press conference she held on June 25 was uncalled for.
“She must apologise to the nation for disrespecting the President. The press conference was disrespectful,” he said on TV3’s KeyPoints on June 28.
According to Mr Asare, as far as the implementation of Article 146 is concerned, the President’s hands are tied,
“She as Chief Justice knows that the President has no option after receiving the petition than to act. She swore the President into office and he said after her that, ‘I shall respect the constitution.’ So what does he expect him to do?” He asked.
“She must apologise, What she did was in utter betrayal of the constitution she swore to uphold,” Mr Asare stressed.
It is recalled that the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo held a press conference at which she alleged that there is a political orchestration to remove her from office.
This follows petitions received by President Mahama that call for her removal. President Mahama in accordance with Article 146, consulted the Council of State and a committee has been set up to probe the allegations.
At a press conference held on June 25, Justice Torkornoo recounted events leading to her suspension, questioning the legality of the in-camera hearing, the prima facie case established against her, and the broader implications for judicial independence in the country.
Justice Torkornoo described the secretive nature of the proceedings as fundamentally unconstitutional.
She disclosed that she has filed an action in the Supreme Court requesting that her hearing be conducted publicly in the interest of accountability and transparency. Despite her request, she noted that the government declined to allow an open hearing.
The suspended Chief Justice argued that the decision to conceal the process from public view undermines confidence in the judiciary and violates the basic principles of due process.
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