Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem Sai
The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem Sai, has stated that he believes the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo was reached through consensus by the Council of State, rather than just a formal vote.
In an interview with JoyNews on April 22, 2025, regarding the Chief Justice’s suspension, Srem-Sai emphasised that the president did not act in accordance with advice.
However, he expressed confidence that the official statement clearly indicated the president made an independent decision.
“He did not act in accordance with advice. I’m sure the statement would have made it clear that the president made a decision. So, I am aware that that is what happened, and that is what the communication from the presidency also published,” he said.
When asked whether the Chief Justice’s suspension was a unanimous recommendation, the Deputy Attorney General stated that he did not believe such details would be disclosed.
He also expressed his belief that the Council of State primarily operates through consensus rather than formal voting.
“I don’t think that will be made known because the council… and I’m happy that my very learned senior, who was a member of the Council of State, would inform the public that the Council of State mostly work with consensus; they hardly go with votes and counting and all that. So, I believe that this decision or this advice also was made by way of consensus rather than by counting votes,” he stated.
About the Chief Justice’s suspension:
President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Ghana’s Chief Justice and head of the judiciary, Justice Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the suspension follows the establishment of a prima facie case against the Chief Justice by the president, in consultation with the Council of State, in relation to three petitions filed against Justice Torkornoo.
“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established in respect of three petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo,” the statement, dated Tuesday, April 22, 2025, stated.
VKB/AE
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