CJ should resign rather than drag this matter in public – Kpebu

Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has suggested that a voluntary resignation by the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, would be in the best interest of Ghana’s democracy, rather than subjecting the nation to a prolonged investigation process.

According to him, although the Chief Justice can be exonerated, the damage that would be inflicted on the judiciary and public confidence during the proceedings could be irreversible.

• Read also: Mahama suspends Chief Justice after setting up committee to probe petitions

“A resignation would be better than for us to go through all of this. She can be exonerated theoretically, but if you look at dragging this matter on in the public domain and everything, by the time we are done, the whole system would have suffered too much,” he said on Joy FM Top Story on Tuesday, April 22.

Mr Kpebu stressed that the ongoing process risks resurfacing controversial issues from the past on judicial corruption, which he believes would reopen old wounds and further destabilise public trust in the judiciary.

“This is going to open a can of worms. It would rake all the old wounds—the Anas exposé, everything is going to come out, thrown at the system. And it’s not good for our democracy to drag this matter,” he warned.

• Read also: Chief Justice’s suspension doesn’t mean she’s guilty – Kwakye Ofosu

According to him, Justice Torkornoo stepping down would allow the country to move forward more swiftly and avoid deepening the existing tensions.

“A resignation would be in order so that everything is curtailed, so that we move on quickly,” Mr Kpebu added.

“If I were asked in terms of strategy, a resignation would be better than going to fight this kind of thing.”

His comments come after President John Mahama suspended the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, following the establishment of a committee to investigate petitions against her.

The move, announced in a statement from the Presidency, is in compliance with constitutional provisions and follows consultations with the Council of State.

The President cited Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the establishment of a committee to probe allegations against a superior court judge if a prima facie case is established.

According to the statement, President Mahama determined that sufficient grounds exist to warrant further inquiry.

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