National Democratic Congress Director of Legal Affairs Godwin Edudzi Tameklo contends Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo must remain suspended during judicial misconduct proceedings, citing testimony from Judicial Service staff.
His position counters Ghana Bar Association calls for her reinstatement to preserve judicial independence.
Tameklo revealed on July 5 that “Judicial Service staff are serving as witnesses” in the probe examining three petitions against Torkornoo. “Imagine what will happen if the Chief Justice was still in office. It will amount to suppression of evidence,” he argued during a television appearance.
The GBA had urged suspension reversal during its June 30 Martyrs Day observance. President Afua Ghartey warned the suspension “serves as poor precedence for the judiciary’s independence.”
President John Mahama suspended Torkornoo on April 22 after establishing a prima facie case per Article 146(6) of Ghana’s Constitution. A five-member committee chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang was formed to investigate the petitions, with members including former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo and military representative Major Flora Dalugo.
Constitutional procedures commenced on March 25 when Mahama forwarded the petitions to the Council of State. The Chief Justice has formally responded to the allegations, though her submission remains confidential during ongoing proceedings.
