The suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo by President John Dramani Mahama, barely five months after the change in government, was expected, according to Mohammed Awal, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications team.
In an interview with Joy Prime’s Roselyn Felli, Awal accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attempting to divert the attention of Ghanaians from pressing national issues by targeting the Chief Justice.
President Mahama requested the country’s highest judicial officer to step aside following the establishment of a five-member committee to investigate three petitions filed against her. Myjoyonline.com understands that two additional petitions have since been filed seeking the Chief Justice’s removal from office.
The Presidency, which announced the suspension on Tuesday, stated that the action was in accordance with constitutional provisions and followed consultations with the Council of State.
The President cited Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the establishment of a committee to probe allegations against a superior court judge if a prima facie case is established.
According to the statement, President Mahama determined that sufficient grounds existed to warrant further inquiry.
However, the NPP communicator came to the defence of the Chief Justice.
“I’m not surprised, even though I suspect that the NDC government is doing this to distract us from the real issues we are facing in this country — 14% electricity tariff hikes, dumsor, and unresolved issues surrounding galamsey, among others,” he said.
Awal emphasised that the NDC’s track record with judicial matters has been poor since the PNDC era. He cited the killing of three judges under the PNDC administration as an example.
“They were murdered in this country — Justice Sarkodie, Justice Agyapong, and a nursing mother who was also killed — all under the PNDC,” he recalled.
Mohammed Awal further criticised President Mahama for what he described as a violation of due process.
“We all knew this process was likely to happen, but we expected due process to be followed so that when the person is removed, it is clear that the right procedures were observed.”
Reviewing the entire process, Mr Awal expressed the firm belief that the suspension was politically motivated, as the President proceeded despite an application for an injunction at the Supreme Court.
Addressing the matter of the petitions, Mr Awal said, “Yes, it could even be fifty — there is nothing wrong with that. What matters most is that there must be a prima facie case; there must be some level of guilt before the person can even be suspended. You can file hundreds of petitions, but if the person is innocent, they will remain unscathed.”
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