NPP criticises suspension of Chief Justice

Mr Justin Koduah Frimpong, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Wednesday expressed the Party’s displeasure over the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by the President.

He described the action as “absurd and unconstitutional” and an attack on the Judiciary.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to the Party’s Headquarters in Accra, Mr Koduah Frimpong urged the Ghana Bar Association and civil society organisations to speak against President Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice.

Mr Frimpong noted that the Chief Justice’s suspension was unconstitutional because there was a petition pending at the Supreme Court challenging her removal.

He indicated that the Party would not be cowed by the “attacks on former government appointees” saying: “The NPP would resist any acts of political intimidation and harassment from the Presidency.”

Meanwhile, Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution says: “Where the petition is for the removal of the Chief Justice, the President shall, acting in consultation with the Council of State, appoint a committee consisting of two Justices of the Supreme Court, one of whom shall be appointed chairman by the President, and three other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor members of Parliament, nor lawyers.

Clause 7 of Article 146 says: “The committee appointed under clause (6) of this article shall inquire into the petition and recommend to the President whether the Chief Justice ought to be removed from office.

Clause 8 says: “All proceedings under this article shall be held in camera, and the Justice or Chairman against whom the petition is made is entitled to be heard in his defence by himself or by a lawyer or other expert of his choice.

For Clause 9, it says: “The President shall, in each case, act in accordance with the recommendations of the committee.”

“Where a petition has been referred to a committee under this article, the President may (a) in the case of the Chief Justice, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, by warrant signed by him, suspend the Chief Justice,” says Clause 10(a).

Source: GNA

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