A former Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Diana Asonaba Dapaah, has argued that the judicial arm of government is under threat, a development she believes should deeply concern all Ghanaians.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, she expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the issues surrounding the removal and subsequent suspension of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, have been handled by President John Mahama.
Ms Dapaah contended that the threshold for establishing a prima facie case against the Chief Justice is being unjustly lowered, and she made clear her disapproval of the entire process.
“It is incompatible with the office of one-third of the arms of government, and every Ghanaian must be concerned about how we are lowering the threshold for establishing a prima facie case,” she stated on the programme.
“Every Ghanaian must be worried that we are undermining the judiciary, the final safeguard of our democracy. We are interfering, especially in light of the very disturbing and prejudicial statements previously made by the president and officials of this government, targeting the Chief Justice,” she added.
Read also: CJ’s Suspension: Prima facie establishment has no basis – Ex Deputy A.G
Meanwhile, Ms Dapaah also suggested that President John Mahama breached Article 146 of the Constitution.
“The whole purpose of Article 146 is guided by the Constitution generally and by the very position of Article 146. Now we have seen the suspension, and what I see is that Clause 10 of Article 146 permits, by way of exercise of discretion, for the president to exercise this discretion to suspend the Chief Justice.”
The petitions in question allege various breaches by Justice Torkornoo, including abuse of office and misconduct, though critics argue that the details of these accusations remain vague and politically motivated.
Ms Dapaah stressed the importance of following due process, especially in matters involving high-ranking judicial figures.
The controversy surrounding the suspension continues to dominate national discourse, as many await further clarification from a five-member committee set up by the Presidency to probe the case.
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