Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s removal continues to dominate social media discourse, with fresh revelations emerging about her attempts to negotiate an exit before turning to the courts.
Abraham Amaliba, a member of the NDC legal team, disclosed on TV3’s KeyPoints that Mrs. Torkornoo, through two prominent figures, initially sought an arrangement with President John Mahama to retire with full entitlements.
“I can tell you on authority that Gertrude Torkornoo worked through some two eminent persons in this country.
They came to plead that she should be allowed to retire with all her entitlements,” Amaliba revealed. But, he added, “somehow, when the discussion was ongoing, she went to court to fight her removal process.”
His comments came after panelist Mr. Ansa-Asare suggested that, on humanitarian grounds, Mrs. Torkornoo should have been allowed to retire after serving 21 years.
Amaliba countered that the former Chief Justice cut off that option herself.
Meanwhile, lawyer Martin Kpebu has stressed that Mrs. Torkornoo loses all her entitlements, explaining that removal from office implies liability for breaching certain rules.
“This is because the meaning of the sack is that she was sacked on the basis that she’s been found liable to have breached certain rules whilst in office,” he said.
Mrs. Torkornoo was officially removed on September 1 after a committee set up under Article 146 recommended her dismissal for misbehaviour, following petitions submitted to the presidency.
