Constitutional lawyer Raymond Bidema has pushed back against claims that President John Mahama breached constitutional procedures in the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Speaking in an interview with Tutuwaa Danso on Starr Today, Mr. Bidema directly addressed criticisms raised by the Minority in Parliament, who alleged that the President bypassed key legal provisions, particularly Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution.
“If you look at the Constitution, it is very clear as to how a matter of this nature should be handled. W
“henever there is a petition against the Chief Justice, the President must, in consultation with the Council of State, determine whether or not a prima facie case has been made.
“Once that is established, it is the prerogative of the President to either suspend the Chief Justice or not, and that is anchored in the Constitution,” he said.
Mr. Bidema emphasised that President Mahama acted within the framework of Article 146(6), which lays out the proper steps to follow when a petition is brought against a sitting Chief Justice.
According to him, the Minority’s interpretation overlooks the clear mandate given to the President under that article.
Meanwhile, the National Organizer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye has hinted of a massive demonstration by the political party over the decision to suspend the Chief Justice.
He is of the view that the decision is politically motivated and must not be made to fester as it destroys the country’s democracy.
In a post shared via social media, he condemned the president for takin such a decision just in fulfilment of a pledge he made to party folks ahead of the 2024 elections.
He said “WE MUST SPEAK OUT, PROTEST, AGITATE & DEMONSTRATE AGAINST MAHAMA’S EVIL AGENDA AGAINST THE JUDICIARY
President Mahama’s relentless attempts to remove the Chief justice is clearly a fulfilment of the political promise made by the NDC prior to the 2024 elections.
