The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has said that former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo retains the right to contest her removal from office through the courts.
Justice Torkornoo was dismissed on Monday, September 1, under Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution.
A statement from the Presidency explained that the decision was based on the recommendation of a committee set up under Article 146(6) to investigate a petition submitted by a private citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori.
Her removal took immediate effect.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr Dafeamekpor stressed that the former Chief Justice could challenge the committee’s findings at the Supreme Court.
“When Charlotte Osei, the former Electoral Commission Chairperson, was removed under Article 46 procedure, Kweku Baako, the journalist, went to the Supreme Court to contest it.
“In the same way, the Chief Justice can apply to the Supreme Court to challenge the findings and recommendations of the committee — that is her right,” he explained.
He further noted that removal through such a process did not necessarily mark the end of the matter.
“Nobody should assume this is final. Kweku Baako did not succeed in his challenge, but that does not mean the committee’s conclusions cannot be tested in the Supreme Court. They certainly can,” he added.