Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has called on the committee probing the Chief Justice to find an alternative venue if the current is not comfortable for Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
His remarks follow a recent press briefing conducted by Justice Torkornoo, who expressed her strong opposition to the selected venue, Adu Lodge, for her hearing, noting that it was the same location where her uncle, an army officer at the time, was abducted and murdered. Witnessing her being brought to the same venue evokes painful memories of the June 1982 massacre of three judges.
She stated that the process of getting her removed from office is fraught with political interests and machinations by people who want her out of office since she has not committed any crime to be treated in this manner.
In her submission, Justice Torkornoo made it clear that she would not step down, stating that accepting to do so at this critical moment would set a precedent and possibly normalize a situation in which public officials who are not favored by a political party may suffer the same fate when that party takes power.
“Moreover, quitting or retiring during the execution of article 146 procedures aimed at the removal of a Judge is not a permissible alternative for any Judge or public officer. The Supreme Court has issued a definitive ruling on the matter. The case number is J6/02/2019.”
Ansah Asare who added his voice to the ongoing removal procedure of the Chief Justice during a panel discussion on Accra-based TV3, advocated for the committee to change the venue if the current one is not suitable for the Chief Justice.
He referenced Article 19 to support his claim for a fair hearing for the suspended Chief Justice by altering the location for the removal proceedings.
