Former Deputy Attorney General Diana Asonaba Dapaah has raised concerns over the Council of State’s decision to establish a prima facie case against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Her remarks follow the leak of documents purportedly submitted by private citizen Daniel Ofori, Senior Police Officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic group Shining Stars of Ghana, all petitioning President John Dramani Mahama for the removal of the Chief Justice.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Wednesday, April 23, Dapaah referred to portions of the petitions, which alleged that the Chief Justice had violated the rules of natural justice in a recent high-profile Supreme Court ruling. She argued that the Council’s reasoning in arriving at its decision was fundamentally flawed.
Dapaah expressed particular concern about the nature of the complaints and how they were used to justify further action.
“The alleged petition by the saviour group, where the basis of all the complaints emanates from a decision by the Supreme Court presided over by the Honourable Chief Justice. For me, even looking at it, that such a petition is a ground for making a prima facie determination, I feel troubled for the other judges who sat on the panel,” she said.
She also questioned the credibility of another petition submitted by a police officer who is also a lawyer, citing the nature of the evidence presented.
“Similar to the one by the police officer who is also a lawyer. He then allegedly is the one who attaches a scintilla of evidence from a news platform called the Law Platform as a basis for saying that the CJ sitting on the panel unilaterally caused his arrest.”
Dapaah concluded by rejecting the Council’s decision outright.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the finding of a prima facie case is unconstitutional and was wrong,” she stated.
Exclusive: CJ’s response to Shining Stars’ petition seeking her removal