Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu
Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has supported the presence of the husband of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo during proceedings concerning her potential removal from office, describing the process as emotionally taxing and warranting family support.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Point on May 31, 2025, Kpebu said the Chief Justice should be allowed to have her husband accompany her, especially given the psychological burden associated with an impeachment process.
“I am in favor of the system allowing Gertrude Torkornoo’s husband to go in with her. She needs emotional support from her family,” Kpebu said.
He explained that while the Constitution does not explicitly state who can attend such hearings, considerations for the emotional and mental well-being of the person involved should be made.
“The Chief Justice herself asked that her relations, at least her husband, be allowed in. This process can be very traumatizing. The Constitution doesn’t say who and who can attend, right? But going through impeachment is a lot”, he indicated.
Kpebu also commented on the procedural approach taken in requesting the husband’s presence.
He suggested that a direct appeal to the committee may have yielded better results than including the request in a supplementary affidavit.
“An appeal could have been made to the committee instead of putting it in the supplementary affidavit. That probably would have found favor, and there could have been some negotiations, rather than the husband just showing up on the day, they could have sent a letter ahead and worked it out behind the scenes”, he said.
Despite the procedural concerns, Kpebu maintained that the presence of Justice Torkornoo’s husband would offer her vital emotional support during a difficult time.
MRA/EB
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