“Gertrude Torkonoo Remains Suspended Till Further Notice”: AG Responds to Commonwealth Lawyers
- The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, responded to a joint statement by the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association on the suspension of Gertrude Torkonoo
- In his response, Dr Dominic Ayine said Gertrude Torkonoo will remain suspended until investigations have been completed
- Ghanaians who saw the press statement on social media shared their varied thoughts on the matter
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The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, said the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo will remain suspended until the inquiry committee finishes its investigation and reports to the President.
Dr Ayine said the suspension is not against the constitution and argued that it is in line with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution.
Source: Facebook
He dismissed claims that there had been breaches or interference in addressing the three petitions against the Chief Justice.
His comments come after a joint statement by the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, entreating President Mahama to reinstate Justice Torkornoo.
The statement described Ghana as a country with a strong tradition of upholding the rule of law.
In his response, Dr Dominic Ayine explained that the Constitution and the Latimer House Principles allow for the suspension of a Chief Justice once a prima facie case of misconduct or misbehaviour has been established.
Source: UGC
He reiterated the government’s commitment to judicial independence, separation of powers, and the rule of law.
“The suspension will, therefore, remain in effect until the inquiry committee completes its work and submits its report, to which His Excellency, the President, will adhere,” he said.
Ghanaians react to AG's response to Commonwealth Lawyers
YEN.com.gh collated some reactions to the statement shared by Justice Sai on Facebook. Read them below:
Togbie Don-Ziggy Benjamin said:
"You've even wasted your time. You should've asked them to come do that."
Abdul-Rahman Pagez wrote:
"2iC please, this is even longer. Three pages mua? It should've just been a simple sentence to them. You two should keep up with the good work. Bless you."
Kwame Rico said:
"In sum, AG has lectured the Osono friends on the dictates of Article 146 of the Constitution. He also said they should have come for lectures on the procedure before releasing the statement. Finally, he said the suspension holds, and the president will act on any advice. Osono failed again. Shalom!"
SK Adams wrote:
"The committee, too, is over-delaying with the impeachment process."
Williams Bakisto said:
"They should come to Ghana and reinstate her. With the greatest of respect, we're on our own since 1957."
Goday Atom wrote:
"For me, they should be told in clear language that Ghana is no longer colonised by them, we're ruled by a constitution, and they've no right to dictate to us what to do."
NPP protests to protect the judiciary
YEN.com.gh reported that members of the NPP and other political groups demonstrated on the streets of Accra against the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The demonstrators gathered at the Supreme Court to present a petition defending judicial independence.
President Mahama suspended the Chief Justice after a prima facie case was established from three petitions that were filed against her.
Source: YEN.com.gh
