Legal expert and constitutional lawyer, Mr. Tuah-Yeboah, has raised serious concerns over the recent suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, calling the decision premature and a potential threat to the independence of the judiciary.
Speaking on The Pulse show on Joy News, Mr. Tuah-Yeboah expressed his surprise at the President’s action, despite the constitution allowing such a move under certain circumstances. He noted that the President’s discretion to accept or reject the advice of the Council of State, which had initially suggested that the Chief Justice remain in office during the investigation, seemed to have been overlooked.
“The President is not bound by the advice of the Council of State,” Mr. Tuah-Yeboah said, “but what surprises me even more is the premature nature of the suspension, especially when it was suggested that the Chief Justice could stay in office while the matter was being reviewed.”
He further warned that the suspension could have lasting consequences for the judiciary’s independence, stressing that any action undermining the integrity of one branch of government could destabilize the entire system of checks and balances.
Mr. Tuah-Yeboah also expressed doubt about the strength of the grounds for suspension, raising concerns that they might be insufficient to justify such a drastic step. “If the grounds for this suspension are weak, as they appear to be, then we should be concerned about the message it sends about the independence of the judiciary,” he remarked.
The legal expert’s comments add to growing criticism of the suspension, with some fearing that the decision could set a dangerous precedent for future government actions against judicial figures. Mr. Tuah-Yeboah concluded by stating that he remained unconvinced by the reasoning behind the suspension and would be deeply disappointed if the President’s decision was based on insufficient grounds.
