Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s decision to challenge her removal in court has drawn praise from IMANI Africa’s Vice President, Kofi Bentil, who believes the action is both necessary and justified.
Appearing on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, September 20, Bentil argued that the state is weaponizing political processes against her.
“It’s a good step by the former Chief Justice to file a review over her removal. I still hold the view that we are using political processes to unduly punish people,” he said.
Justice Torkornoo, who was removed by President John Mahama from her positions as Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court, insists the President’s warrant cannot lawfully strip her of both roles.
She has therefore petitioned the court to declare the removal null, void, and unconstitutional, seeking a series of reliefs to quash the September 1 warrant and affirm constitutional safeguards under Article 146.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has described the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo as a case of karma and a lesson in the abuse of power.
In a post shared on social media, A Plus rejected claims that the Chief Justice’s removal was purely political, insisting that her own actions at the Supreme Court contributed to her downfall.
“Some people say the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo is grounded in politics. But let me ask: when she was handing down 11:0 unanimous decisions at the Supreme Court, was that grounded in technical and vocational skills?
“We told you long ago that karma is from Kyebi. Some of these things will always come back to bite you, but instead of listening, you insulted us.”
The outspoken legislator accused Torkonoo of selective justice in politically sensitive cases, citing the long-standing representation issue affecting the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) communities.
“When the Right Honourable Speaker declared seats vacant, the Supreme Court immediately granted a stay of execution.
“Yet, the same Court could not attach that same urgency to the SALL parliamentary case. And why? Because the Chief Justice knew that if she did, the NDC would have won and become the majority in Parliament.”
