President John Mahama’s move to form a committee to look into the Chief Justice has drawn criticism from the NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs.
Frank Davies called it a targeted political signal and said it went beyond a legal process against Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
He stated in an interview with Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday night that although the Constitution allows for this kind of investigation, the larger background and political implications raise grave concerns about judicial meddling.
As a qualified attorney, he stated, “I would have preferred that we were not in this situation right now.”
“Obviously, this is the first time in our democratic era that the Chief Justice has had to be suspended due to petitions against her, which were supposedly intended to remove her.”
The conduct smacks of something more profound to Frank Davies. “In my opinion, it’s more of an attack on the judiciary.”
Evans accepted the validity of the procedure but maintained on the underlying motivation when host Evans Mensah questioned why, pointing out that it adheres to Article 146 of the Constitution.
“I’m not suggesting due process isn’t followed. Article 146 is undoubtedly a constitutional requirement. Therefore, no one can claim that the Constitution does not govern what is taking place,” he clarified.
In actuality, it is a child of the Constitution. The procedures that have been followed up to this point are both legally and procedurally acceptable.
However, he believes that the political context in which the process is taking place is more problematic than the process itself.
I’m referring to the remarks made by high-ranking political figures in the discourse that has already taken place.
He said, “There should be an attempt to have this Chief Justice removed because it gives a veiled impression that perhaps she is not liked.”
He charged that President Mahama was engaging in political intimidation under the guise of constitutional due process.
This goes beyond simple accountability. The message is political,” he stated plainly.
“And that message is— we’ll come for you if you’re not aligned.”
The former president, who is currently running for president, declared Monday that a five-member committee made up of academic, military, legal, and public service professionals will look into several petitions that were filed against the Chief Justice.
The committee has been charged with looking into the claims in detail and as soon as possible.
However, Frank Davies claimed that the announcement’s timing and tone were intentional.
He asserted, “They want to appear as defenders of justice, but the judiciary is being attacked here.” “And we can’t just stand by and act like this is normal.”
He urged Ghanaians to exercise caution.
It’s the Chief Justice today. Anyone who doesn’t cooperate could do it tomorrow.