Sam Okudzeto, a former President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), has expressed strong disapproval over the public release of petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
In his view, such sensitive matters should be kept confidential until a prima facie case is established.
In an interview on March 27, Mr. Okudzeto, who has also served as a member of the Council of State, emphasised that publicising the petitions at this early stage was inappropriate.
He explained, “Let me emphasise that this should not have been publicised. When I was on the Council, we believed it was wrong to make a petition like this public when first submitted to the president and forwarded to the Council of State. Publicity should follow only once the Council and president conclude that a prima facie case has been made.”
Mr. Okudzeto’s comments come after President Mahama initiated consultations with the Council of State in response to the submission of three petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal.
The petitions have been forwarded to the Council of State by Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, as confirmed by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
In addition, two separate lawsuits have been filed at the Supreme Court challenging the procedure used to address the petitions.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Torkonoo has written to President Mahama and other relevant stakeholders, requesting copies of the petitions seeking her removal.
Asked whether the president and the Council of State would be acting illegally if they moved forward without the Chief Justice’s response, Okudzeto noted that the issue extends beyond legal considerations.
He stated in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story, “It’s not just about the law. It’s also about simple common sense. How can the Council of State and the President proceed without input from the accused person? They need her response to make an informed decision.”