What’s so special about CJ Torkornoo that NPP, GBA are fighting her suspension? — NDC lawyer

Gideon Tettey Tetteh, a lawyer and the Regional Director for Conflict Resolution of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) over their opposition to the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkornoo.

Justice Torkornoo was suspended on Tuesday, April 22, by President Mahama following a prima facie case established on petitions seeking her removal from office, based on consultations with the Council of State.

Since then, the NPP has joined hands with other opposition political parties to stage a demonstration on May 5, describing the suspension as unconstitutional and a blow to judicial independence.

Separately, the GBA at its mid-year conference on Saturday, April 26, passed a resolution calling on the President to revoke the suspension, threatening legal action should the call be ignored.

Reacting to these developments on Accra-based JoyPrime’s Prime Morning on Wednesday, April 30, Lawyer Tetteh questioned the motive behind the strong defense of the Chief Justice.

“What at all is in this Mrs. Torkornoo that everybody, especially the NPP and the GBA, are up in arms fighting against her removal? The posture of the Ghana Bar Association is even more reason why the Chief Justice has to be removed—so that we shall see what they can do,” he said.

The lawyer further noted that, contrary to claims by the opposition, the process regarding the petitions for the removal of the Chief Justice is in line with due process.