Public interest advocate and member of the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, Rodaline Imoru Ayarna, has criticised the recent press conference organised by suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkonoo.
According to Madam Imoru Ayarna, the Chief Justice is damaging a potentially beneficial relationship between herself and the state, one that may be crucial to her future aspirations.
Speaking on TV3’s New Day programme, she noted that should Justice Torkonoo be removed from office, she might require the state’s endorsement for international opportunities.
“I’m asking, so at the end of the day, assuming she gets kicked out and decides she wants to take up a position in an international organisation, who would she expect to give her that recommendation? Your country has to at least say something nice about you for other countries to consider you,” she said.
She added, “So, if you go about making it look like there’s a political agenda—attacking the government—would you expect that same government to recommend you as someone with integrity, loyalty, and reliability? She should be thinking of these things.”
Madam Imoru Ayarna emphasized that the suspended Chief Justice’s press conference did not work in her favour.
“Taking all this into consideration, I think that Gertrude Torkonoo did not do herself any good by holding that presser,” she said.
At the press conference held on Wednesday, June 26, Justice Torkonoo claimed her rights were being violated in the ongoing process to remove her from office.
She argued that the allegations against her do not meet the threshold required to warrant the removal of a Chief Justice.
