Minority alleges plot to suspend Chief Justice and install pro-NDC judge

The Minority in Parliament is raising red flags over what it claims is a calculated move to suspend Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo.

According to the group, the aim is to clear the path for appointing a judge seen to be aligned with the governing NDC.

MP for Suame John Darko who addressed an emergency press conference on Wednesday (16 April) alleged that steps are being taken to invoke constitutional provisions to give effect to this plan, one he warns could compromise judicial independence.

“We are aware of plans been hatched to invoke Article 146 (10)(a) to suspend plans to suspend the Chief Justice to appoint somebody who is a known sympathiser of the NDC government to act as Chief Justice of the Republic…

“Justice Torkonoo’s destruction should not be the grounds for your rising to the office of the Chief Justice. To you that judge remember that you can rise together but if you ride on the destruction of another to rise, remember that posterity will not be kind to you”, Darko stated.

The caucus further argued the petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal are unfounded and failed to meet the constitutional requirements for her removal.

They stated that sources had revealed to the caucus that the petitions were baseless, necessitating intervention from traditional and religious leaders.

“To our revered traditional leaders and religious leaders, the time to call the president to advise him is now, the time to pray for our country is now. We should not wait until it’s too late,” the Legal Counsel for the Minority said.

The statement follows the Supreme Court’s adjournment of an injunction application seeking to halt the President and Council of State from proceeding with a prima facie determination on petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal.

In court today, a five-member panel presided over by Justice Henrietta Mensah Bonsu adjourned sitting to 6 May following an application filed by legal representatives seeking to block the ongoing process.