Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu believes that the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo will serve as a powerful reminder to future heads of the judiciary about the need to adhere strictly to due process.
Speaking on TV3’s KeyPoints on Saturday, September 6, Kpebu stated that the outcome of Torkornoo’s case has set a new precedent and will influence how her successors conduct themselves in office.
“The next Chief Justice will be very careful about following due process,” Kpebu said. “No Chief Justice will want to go through what Gertrude Torkornoo experienced, hence they will be more cautious.”
Kpebu’s comments come amid an ongoing national debate following President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to remove Justice Torkornoo from office.
Her dismissal followed an Article 146 Committee report, which found her guilty of financial misconduct involving the unlawful use of public funds for personal trips.
The controversy has also been fueled by fresh revelations about behind-the-scenes negotiations prior to her removal. Abraham Amaliba, a member of the NDC legal team, disclosed on the same program that the former Chief Justice initially sought an arrangement to retire with full entitlements before resorting to legal action.
“I can tell you on authority that Gertrude Torkornoo worked through some two eminent persons in this country,” Amaliba revealed.
“They came to plead that she should be allowed to retire with all her entitlements. But somehow, when the discussion was ongoing, she went to court to fight her removal process.”
