Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has heavily criticized the Mahama administration for mishandling the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
His remarks come after the Chief Justice was suspended on April 22, following a prima facie case brought forward by private citizen Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic group Shining Stars of Ghana.
President Mahama, acting in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter.
However, the decision has sparked widespread opposition, including from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), which is calling for the suspension to be reversed.
Prof. Oquaye raised significant concerns about the constitutional requirement for the Chief Justice’s hearing to be held in camera (behind closed doors), questioning the transparency and intent of such a provision.
In an interview, he expressed, “I am concerned about certain issues that I consider vital, particularly the trial in camera provision. You will ask yourself what the rationale is for that provision in our constitution, what is its purpose, and if we are to give it a purposeful interpretation, where shall we go?”
He further emphasized that while the Constitution stresses that justice belongs to the people, conducting a high-profile case in secrecy undermines the broader principles of transparency and public interest.
“From the very beginning, the constitution tells us justice belongs to the people, it emanates from the people, justice belongs to all of us,” he said, adding that the closed-door trial could potentially benefit the accused rather than the public.
