Private legal practitioner, Godfred Anim-Nyarko, has described as highly unusual the recent press conference held by suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, following the controversy surrounding her impeachment process.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Thursday, June 25, Anim-Nyarko expressed surprise at the public address, stating that it is rare for a Chief Justice, whether suspended or active, to engage directly with the media on such matters.
“I would say I was even more than surprised because it’s quite unusual for a chief justice, either suspended or acting, to have held a press conference. Normally, they speak through their decisions in court. So, it was quite unusual.”
Anim-Nyarko suggested that the press conference may have been Justice Torkornoo’s last resort.
The legal practitioner added that the situation remains unprecedented and the public awaits the outcome of the impeachment process and any subsequent developments.
“I think the mere reason why she resorted to the press briefing was that she thinks she’s not getting the remedy she wants from the court. So, I think she sees it as the very last option to pursue,” he stated.
READ: FULL TEXT: Chief Justice breaks silence for the first time since suspension
Justice Torkornoo, in her address on Wednesday, June 25, described the ongoing removal process against her as unconstitutional, irregular, and politically motivated. She insisted that she would not resign under pressure, warning that the impeachment process poses a threat to Ghana’s democracy.
The Chief Justice also raised concerns over alleged breaches of procedure and violations of her constitutional rights, coming just days after the Supreme Court struck out a supplementary affidavit she filed in an attempt to halt the process.
In the affidavit, Justice Torkornoo alleged degrading treatment and claimed the impeachment was politically driven.
However, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld an objection from Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem Sai, who argued that the affidavit improperly disclosed confidential information from the committee’s deliberations — in violation of constitutional requirements for such proceedings to be held privately.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
