NPP flagbearer hopeful Kwabena Agyepong has condemned the manner in which the National Democratic Congress (NDC) handled the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkonoo, describing the action as premeditated, frivolous and a “waste of state resources.”
Speaking on the AM Show, Agyepong said the petition that triggered Justice Torkonoo’s removal should never have been approved by President John Mahama.
He argued that the allegations against her did not meet the threshold required for such a major constitutional action.
“This frivolous petition should never have passed the desk of the president. Never. That’s why he’s president,” he said. “I’m disappointed in wasting the state’s time and energy in removing a Chief Justice who had not caused any major infractions in society.”
He insisted that the move appeared politically calculated and intended to intimidate the judiciary. According to him, the NDC had signalled its intentions before the elections, and the eventual removal only confirmed those earlier warnings.
Kwabena Agyepong questioned the substance of the allegations levelled against Justice Torkonoo and challenged the basis for her dismissal, saying no serious wrongdoing had been established.
“Tell me, you are a journalist. Really, what have you heard has been the culpability of this Chief Justice?” he asked.
He contrasted the NDC’s action with criticism previously directed at former President Akufo-Addo over judicial appointments.
According to him, while the NDC accused the Akufo-Addo administration of “packing the courts,” the former president was simply filling vacancies as they emerged — a practice he personally disagreed with, preferring a smaller Supreme Court.
Looking ahead, Kwabena Agyepong said that under a future administration led by him, a cap would be placed on the number of Supreme Court judges, and the mandatory retirement age of 70 would be removed for those at the apex court.