Former Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has expressed shock and disappointment over President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, calling it unexpected and concerning.
The suspension, announced on April 22, follows the establishment of a committee to investigate multiple petitions filed against the top judicial official.
The move complied with constitutional provisions and followed consultations with the Council of State.
However, despite these formalities, Mr Tuah-Yeboah believes the decision was premature and potentially harmful to the integrity of the judiciary.
Speaking on The Pulse show on Joy News, Mr Tuah-Yeboah expressed his surprise at the President’s action.
“I am surprised by the suspension of the Chief Justice, even though the Constitution allows for such a step to be taken,” he said.
“What surprises me even more is that the President is not bound by the advice of the Council of State. He has the discretion to accept or reject it. Moreover, it was indicated that the Chief Justice could remain in office while the matter was being reviewed by the panel,” he added.
Mr Tuah-Yeboah raised concerns about the long-term impact of the decision on the judiciary’s independence.
“I say the advice of the Council of State has been poisonous. We must be very careful in how we treat the head of any arm of government. In Ghana, we have three branches: the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature. The Council of State should ensure that actions taken do not undermine the balance of these arms,” he warned.
He further added that the grounds for the suspension, as he understands them, appear weak.
“The expectation is that the Council of State would play a role that ensures fairness. But if the grounds for suspending the Chief Justice are weak or hollow, then we should be deeply concerned about the message this sends about the independence of the judiciary,” he said.
Mr Tuah-Yeboah expressed his disappointment in the decision, stating that, after carefully reviewing the situation, he remains unconvinced by the reasoning behind the suspension.
“I am closely following the grounds for this suspension. If the suspension is indeed based on the weak grounds that have been presented, then I will be deeply disappointed in the President for taking such a decision,” he concluded
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