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Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has dismissed claims that the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was a witch-hunt, emphasizing that the constitutional process was strictly followed. Speaking on TV3’s Keypoints show, Bentil explained that although the decision has raised concerns, it cannot be described as unlawful or arbitrary.
Bentil noted that the committee, chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, thoroughly scrutinized over 10,000 pages and interrogated numerous witnesses before recommending the Chief Justice’s removal. He stated, “This is not a mere witch-hunt. Constitutional processes were followed, and there was no breach of the letter of the constitution”.
However, Bentil expressed concerns about the potential implications of the removal, warning that frequent interference in the judiciary could set a dangerous precedent. “Removing a Chief Justice should not be done lightly. If this continues, every new president could walk in, clear the Chief Justice and security heads, and replace them with their own people. That’s not what the constitution is meant for,” he cautioned.
Despite acknowledging the constitutional process, Bentil believes the removal was part of a premeditated agenda by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). “I see this act as a clear witch-hunt because the NDC had a premeditated plan to remove the Chief Justice. I worry about the precedent that has been set for future governments,” he stated.
The removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo has sparked nationwide debate about judicial independence. Some citizens, like Isaac Winful Dadzie, have expressed solidarity with the ousted Chief Justice, praising her judicial integrity and criticizing partisan attacks on her reputation
