Private legal practitioner, Godfred Anim-Nyarko, has criticised the recent press conference held by suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, following the controversy surrounding her impeachment proceedings.
Justice Torkornoo, at the press briefing on Wednesday, June 25, described the ongoing impeachment process as unconstitutional, irregular, and politically motivated.
She also raised concerns about the choice of Adu Lodge, a state facility located along Castle Drive in Osu, as the venue for the proceedings, describing it as symbolically troubling.
The suspended Chief Justice linked the location to the tragic 1981 abduction and murder of three High Court judges and a military officer, one of whom was her uncle and former guardian, suggesting the venue was chosen to intimidate her and undermine her defence.
In an interview on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Thursday, June 25, Anim-Nyarko dismissed those claims as an attempt to win public sympathy.
“My personal opinion is that she was trying to cut public support, because as we speak now, there’s no constitutional instrument guiding proceedings under Article 146. So as to the determination of the venue, or how the proceedings should go about it, there’s no instrument guiding it. So the venue itself, I do not think should be a problem.”
READ: FULL TEXT: Chief Justice breaks silence for the first time since suspension
He argued that Adu Lodge, as a state facility capable of accommodating such hearings, should not be a source of controversy.
Mr. Anim-Nyarko stressed that the constitution does not specify the type of venue for such proceedings, concluding that the focus should be on due process rather than emotional appeals.
Mr. Anim-Nyarko continued, “So far, it’s a State venue that can house such a committee hearing. But linking that venue to what happened with the cleaning of the judges, I don’t know how to draw out of it, but I saw it as a way to cause public sympathy. Because the constitution does not indicate what type of venue the proceedings should take place.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
