The Supreme Court has indefinitely adjourned proceedings in the case challenging the legitimacy of three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
This decision was taken on Wednesday, April 9, after Justice Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, who was presiding over the matter, acknowledged a formal excuse presented by the Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine.
The AG had communicated his unavailability due to a scheduled training program for lawyers at the Office of the Attorney General, spanning from April 7 to April 10. He had requested that all cases involving his office be adjourned within this period.
Despite this, lead counsel for the plaintiff and former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, raised concerns over the absence of both Dr. Ayine and his deputy, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, describing it as surprising and questioning the lack of representation in such a high-profile constitutional matter.
Mr. Dame had requested that the court consider rescheduling the hearing to Monday, April 14, but no new date was confirmed, leaving the future of the case uncertain for now.
The legal action, filed by Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, questions the constitutionality of the process initiated by former President John Mahama to remove the Chief Justice. Assafuah argues that the Chief Justice should have been informed and given the opportunity to respond to the allegations before the President forwarded the petitions to the Council of State, as required under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
According to the MP, bypassing this step not only denies the Chief Justice the right to a fair hearing but also sets a troubling precedent that could undermine judicial independence.
Although the Supreme Court was expected to deliberate on whether the procedure followed by the former President aligns with constitutional provisions, the indefinite adjournment has placed the case in limbo. Meanwhile, Chief Justice Torkornoo is reported to have formally responded to the petitions after receiving a 10-day ultimatum from the former President.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0