The Minority Caucus in Parliament has disclosed that they have received information of the government’s plan to suspend the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Torkonoo.
According to them, this forms part of plans of the ruling National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) plan to remove the Chief Justice from office and replace her with someone who holds allegiance to the party.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament, Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko, accused the government of a plot to control the judiciary. He likened it to the dark days in Ghana’s history where judges were hunted and killed.
“We are aware of plans for the invocation of article 146 (10)(a) to suspend the CJ and to appoint certain persons who are known sympathizers of the current administration to act as the Chief Justice,” the Minority warned.
Early last month, President John Mahama received three petitions seeking to remove Chief Justice Torkonoo from office.
The president subsequently referred them to the Council of State to probe the allegations to establish whether the Chief Justice might have breached the law.
During the press conference, the Minority caucus questioned the legitimacy of the allegations forming the basis of the petition, describing them as “spurious.”
These include claims that the CJ advised the president on judicial appointments, ruled on a matter involving the Speaker of Parliament, and misappropriated GHC 75,000.
“How can any serious country, mindful of its past, and desirous of improving its democratic credentials entertain such loose petitions and orchestrate the destruction of the last bastion of the pillars of our democracy?” the group quizzed.
The Minority further called on development partners, traditional and religious leaders, and the Ghanaian public to resist what they termed a “naked usurpation of judicial powers”
