President Akufo-Addo has dismissed a petition calling for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, citing a lack of evidence and procedural deficiencies.
The petition, submitted by Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, alleged misbehavior and incompetence against the Chief Justice.
However, according to the presidency, after a thorough review, Akufo-Addo concluded that the petition “does not disclose a prima facie case warranting further action.”
Thr statement signed by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Office of the Presidency stated that the petition was found to be lacking in supporting evidence or documentation.
“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 statement read.
Furthermore, the president noted that the petition was circulated prematurely in the public domain, in breach of Article 146(8) of the Constitution.
“Such a violation undermines the solemnity of the process and the principles enshrined in the Constitution to safeguard judicial independence,” the President observed.
The presidency described the petition as “frivolous, vexatious and unmeritorious”
“The Office of the President cautions against attempts to undermine judicial independence through baseless allegations, and emphasizes the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions in addressing grievances,” the statement stated.
The statement noted that the outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo “is unhappy to observe that such a violation should have been occasioned by a lawyer.”
Attached below is a copy of the statement from the presidency dismissing the petition
PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO DISMISSES PETITION AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE
The Office of the President wishes to inform the general public that, after a thorough and careful review of the petition for the removal of the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, 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 petition was submitted by Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, citing allegations of misbehaviour and incompetence against the Chief Justice.
Upon review, the President observed several deficiencies in the petition. The principal ones were:
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 Based on these findings and observations, and in alignment with the recommendations of the Council of State, the petition is deemed frivolous, vexatious and unmeritorious.
President Akufo-Addo reaffirms his unallayed commitment to the independence and integrity of the judiciary, which remains a cornerstone of Ghana's democracy.
The Office of the President cautions against attempts to undermine judicial independence through baseless allegations, and emphasizes the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions in addressing grievances.
