Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye
Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has criticised the John Dramani Mahama-led government over its handling of petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Speaking in a snippet of an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse, scheduled to be aired on Wednesday, 8 May, 2025, Professor Oquaye stated that the ongoing process does not align with the laid-down procedure for the removal of a Chief Justice as outlined in Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
He pointed out that one key element being ignored is the constitutional requirement for in camera (private) hearings of such petitions.
He added that the current process lacks transparency and is depriving Ghanaians of their right to be informed about the proceedings.
“A number of the things that are happening are so political that when it comes to these matters, I like to put on the hat of a constitutional student. I study the Constitution. I am concerned about certain issues that I consider vital, particularly the trial in camera provision.
“You ask yourself: What is the rationale for that provision in our Constitution? It is there in black and white. What is its purpose? And if we were to give it a purposive interpretation, where shall we end up? Is the purpose to benefit the people of Ghana as a whole, that the Chief Justice might be tried in camera?
“Because, you see, even before you get to the in camera provision, from the very beginning, the Constitution tells us that justice belongs to the people. It emanates from the people. Justice belongs to all of us as a people,” he said.
He continued, “The people are the owners of that issue, that process, whatever happens with regard to the Chief Justice. Why should the people be barred from knowing what is going on? If the people have the right, as owners of the very process of adjudication, then of course, they should be able to visit the farm that is theirs.”
BAI/MA
Explosive outburst over suspension of Chief Justice as former Speaker of Parliament slams government, raising major concerns over what he describes as the secret trial of the Chief Justice.
Tune in to the full interview on the #ThePulse at 3:00pm on JoyNews. pic.twitter.com/HNihqgbxB8
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) May 8, 2025
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