Ayikoi Otoo submitted false documents in ex-CJ’s case – Domevelo

Daniel Yao Domelevo, former Auditor-General and member of the committee that reviewed petitions against ex-Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has raised concerns about the integrity of evidence presented during the hearings.

He claims that Nii Ayikoi Otoo, a former Attorney-General, submitted documents that were not authentic in an attempt to defend Justice Torkornoo.

Speaking in an interview, Domelevo described his surprise at the nature of the documents shared.

One of them, he said, was a letter signed by the Judicial Secretary, purportedly appointing Justice Torkornoo as Chief Justice, a role that should be filled through presidential appointment.

“Mr Ayikoi Otoo said he gave me all the evidence, and I ignored it. I want to put it on record that what he gave us was fake. The letter he presented was signed by the Judicial Secretary, not the President. That’s not how a Chief Justice is appointed,” Domelevo stated.

Ayikoi Otoo, on the other hand, maintains that Justice Torkornoo acted within her rights when she requested to travel.

He explained that the judiciary’s travel policy allows a Chief Justice to travel with a companion, especially when unmarried, and that previous Chief Justices had done the same.

He also questioned the committee’s decision to recommend removal based on allowances, suggesting that any financial discrepancies should have been addressed through an audit, not disciplinary action.

The disagreement between Domelevo and Ayikoi Otoo adds another layer to the already complex debate surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s exit from office.