Petition to Remove CJ Trashed

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has trashed a petition to remove the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, as frivolous, vexatious and unmeritorious.

The petition cited allegations of misbehaviour and incompetence against the Chief Justice, calling for her removal in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

In response to the petition filed by lawyer and Professor of accounting, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, commonly known as Kweku Azar, on January 6, 2025, he said the said petition had been thoroughly and carefully reviewed

“The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in consultation with the Council of State, has concluded that the petition does not disclose a prima facie case warranting further action,” the statement issued right before he exited office said.

Grounds
Among the reasons cited for trashing the petition, it said was lack of evidence and premature circulation of the petition in public domain.

“First, the petition was submitted without supporting evidence or documentation to substantiate its claims. The allegations, including claims of panel reconstitution, issuance of practice directions, and purported constitutional breaches by the Chief Justice, were found to be unsupported by evidence. The petitioner failed to demonstrate any factual basis or provide credible documentation to substantiate these claims.

“Second, the processes and practices cited by the petitioner, such as the Chief Justice’s administrative responsibilities under the Courts Act, were found to be consistent with the law and established practices.

“The President feels constrained to observe that, contrary to constitutional provisions, the petition was prematurely circulated in the public domain, in breach of Article 146(8) of the Constitution, which mandates that proceedings of this nature be held in camera to protect the integrity of the Judiciary. Such a violation undermines the solemnity of the process and the principles enshrined in the Constitution to safeguard judicial independence. The President is unhappy to observe that such a violation should have been occasioned by a lawyer.”

Judgement
From these observations and in line with the recommendations of the Council of State, the Presidency said, “the petition is deemed frivolous, vexatious and unmeritorious”.

The outgone President Akufo-Addo further reaffirmed his unalloyed commitment to the independence and integrity of the judiciary which he said remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s democracy.

Meanwhile, his office cautioned against attempts to undermine judicial independence through baseless allegations, emphasising the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions in addressing grievances.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini