Renowned US-based Ghanaian lawyer and scholar, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, also known as Kwaku Azar, has expressed dissatisfaction with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s dismissal of his petition to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as reported by Ghana Web on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
In a Facebook post on January 6, 2024, Kwaku Azar criticized the president’s rejection of his petition, describing the decision as a “prima facie determination” based on initial impressions.
He disagreed with the ruling, stating, “We disagree with the president’s prima facie determination on our petition and will take additional steps for it to get a fair hearing.”
The petition, which was submitted by Azar, accused Chief Justice Torkornoo of misbehaviour and incompetence. However, in a statement issued by the presidency on the same day, Akufo-Addo, after consulting with the Council of State, rejected the petition.
The president concluded that the petition did not present a prima facie case justifying further action.
The statement emphasized that the allegations, which included claims of panel reconstitution, issuing practice directions, and constitutional breaches, lacked supporting evidence.
The president’s office noted that Azar had failed to provide credible documentation or factual evidence to substantiate his claims. Additionally, it affirmed that the practices cited were consistent with established law.
Kwaku Azar, however, remained resolute in his stance, asserting in a follow-up post, “Whatever is dismissed today will resonate tomorrow, standing as a testament to the enduring pursuit of justice.”
This statement indicates his intention to continue pushing for what he sees as a fair evaluation of his petition.