By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
A former Member of the Council of State, Mr. Sam Okudzeto, has questioned the rationale behind making public a petition seeking the removal of the Chief Justice (CJ), Mrs. Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The former Member of the Council of State’s question concerns the Minister for Government Communications, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, publicising that President Mahama had received three petitions seeking the removal of the Chief Justice.
Mr. Okudzeto, who once served as the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), is of the view that matters of such nature should remain confidential until a prima facie case has been established.
Speaking in an interview with an Accra-based Joy FM, yesterday, Mr. Okudzeto explained that making such petitions public at an early stage is a flawed approach.
“Let me emphasise that this should not have been publicised. When I was on the Council, we felt it was wrong for a petition of this nature to be made public when submitted to the President and forwarded to the Council of State. It is only when the Council and the President conclude that a prima facie case has been made that publicity should follow. I think this is a wrong approach,” the former Bar President reiterated.
His comment comes after President John Dramani Mahama initiated consultations with the Council of State, following the submission of three petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
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