Allegations against ousted CJ Torkonoo lacked gravity — Kweku Baako

Editor-in-Chief of the Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, has joined voices criticising the removal of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkonoo as Chief Justice and Supreme Court Justice.

The veteran journalist said the allegations that led to her removal lacked the weight required to unseat a person occupying such a high office.

In a social media reaction to comments by former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, Mr. Baako maintained that he disagreed with the move, just as he disagreed with the removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei.

“I agree with her [Sophia Akuffo’s] judgment on the effect of the conclusions of the Pwamang Article 146 Committee. Same way I disagreed with her prima facie determination on the petition against Charlotte Osei and the subsequent Justice Benin Committee’s recommendation on Charlotte Osei, which was largely driven by her prima facie determination,” he stated.

On her part, Justice Sophia Akuffo, who also serves as a member of the Council of State, had described the processes leading to Justice Torkonoo’s removal as a “rigmarole” undeserving of any judge or Chief Justice.

“They (allegations) lack the gravity that will lead to a grave outcome such as the removal of the head of an institution of justice. I pray to God that no Chief Justice, no Judge should go through this rigmarole again,” she noted.

“She did not get a fair trial. Even though it is not a trial strictly speaking, it was handled as though it were a treason trial,” she added.

Justice Torkonoo was removed as both Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court by President John Mahama after a five-member committee completed its inquiry into a petition against her on September 1.

The probe committee cited three key findings — unlawful expenditure of public funds, abuse of discretionary power, and interference in judicial appointments — as grounds for her removal.