CJ Torkornoo was suspended after Council of State concluded she had a case to answer in 3 petitions
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly condemned the suspension of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), describing it as a politically motivated act designed to weaken the judiciary and compromise democratic governance.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Asylum Down on Tuesday, July 29, the General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua, accused the NDC administration of engaging in a deliberate scheme to take control of the courts and influence judicial outcomes in its favour.
“This disgraceful act is a direct attempt to cripple judicial independence and bend the course of justice to serve the agenda of the ruling party,” he stated.
“Indeed, it is a dangerous precedent that threatens the very foundation of our democracy,” he added.
According to him, this is the first time in Ghana’s democratic history that a sitting Chief Justice has been suspended in such a manner and under circumstances which they believe are both reckless and alarming.
Frimpong Kodua warned that the suspension of the Chief Justice is not an isolated incident but part of a broader political strategy by the government to capture state institutions, beginning with the judiciary.
“It is a well-orchestrated attempt by this government to exert undue influence over our judicial system, and by extension, our democracy,” he alleged.
He also raised concerns about recent judicial rulings which he called “questionable judgments” from some courts in recent weeks.
“We are not surprised by the recent pronouncements of some courts. We live in this country and see what is happening. Some of the judgments delivered are highly questionable,” he said.
Frimpong Kodua urged members of the judiciary to remain firm and impartial in their constitutional duties, cautioning them not to allow political actors to dictate the outcomes of cases.
“They should not allow political parties, particularly the government of the day, to dictate how they administer justice,” he urged.
“You swore an oath of office to protect fundamental human rights and safeguard our Constitution. We call on you to stand by it, abide by it, and not allow political actors to influence your judgments,” he added.
The General Secretary called on civil society organisations, the Ghana Bar Association, and religious leaders to stand firm against what they call an emerging culture of executive overreach.
AS/VPO
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