Former Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Abraham Amaliba, has launched a scathing critique of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, describing her as a “cry baby” over her latest attempt to halt judicial processes concerning her removal from office.
Speaking in an interview on Prime Insight on Joy Prime, Amaliba accused the former Chief Justice of deliberately using legal technicalities to stall proceedings, rather than allowing due process to run its course.
“Torkonoo is becoming a cry baby. A cry baby because at each step along the way, she decides to file processes, and both processes are meant just to stall the legal process that was ongoing. Now the committee has finished its work. For me, this matter is closed,” he stated firmly.
His comments follow reports that Justice Torkonoo has filed a new legal action at the High Court seeking to halt the vetting and possible appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as the next Chief Justice of Ghana. Her suit also aims to nullify all proceedings of the Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang Committee, which was constituted under Article 146 of the Constitution to consider petitions for her removal.
Amaliba, however, maintained that there was nothing improper about the Attorney General (AG) taking time to respond to court processes, contrary to what Torkonoo’s application implies.
“The AG can always go to court and ask for time to file his processes. It’s been done several times. If the AG is bogged down with other very important matters, he’s not supposed to break a leg or an arm. He can always go to court, ask for leave, and then file the processes,” he explained.
He further emphasized that the law grants the Attorney General the flexibility to seek extensions where necessary. “I’m saying that once the law allows the AG to appear in court and say, ‘Can you give me three days or seven days to file my processes?’ there’s nothing wrong. The AG will do it at the right time,” he added.
According to Amaliba, the former Chief Justice’s actions reflect a reluctance to accept the outcome of the constitutional process, suggesting that her latest move only reinforces the perception that she is trying to delay the inevitable.
