Martin Kpebu urges Chief Justice to resign for sake of democracy

Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has  called for the voluntary resignation of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, stating that stepping down would be in the best interest of Ghana’s democracy and judicial integrity.

His remarks come in the wake of President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice, following the establishment of a prima facie case against her in response to three separate petitions seeking her removal. The President’s action, taken in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, was announced on Tuesday, April 22.

Ina an interview with the media, Mr. Martin Kpebu stressed that the resignation of the Chief Justice would help avoid a prolonged public ordeal that could damage the credibility of the judicial system.

He warned that proceeding with a formal inquiry could reopen “old wounds,” referring to previous judicial controversies, including the Anas exposé that shook Ghana’s legal system years ago.

 “To be very blunt with you and it’s better I just speak my mind straight. I think a resignation would be better, I mean, a resignation would just be better, than for us to go through all of this. If you look at dragging this matter on in the public domain and everything, by the time we are done, the whole system would have suffered too much, so I think that, if we are talking in terms of strategy for our democracy and everything, a resignation is better than going into the committee.”

“This is going to open a can of worms. It will bring all the old wounds. the Anas exposé, everything is going to come up, everything will be thrown at the system and it’s not good for our democracy to drag this matter. A resignation will be in order so that everything is curtailed so that we move on quickly.” He said

The legal practitioner explained that while the constitutional process must be respected, strategically, a resignation would minimize damage to the judiciary’s reputation and expedite national healing

“Because otherwise going through the whole of this process, then a judgment will come, and the more we discuss it, then the more we are raking up old wounds. That’s why I say it will open a can of worms, so if I was asked in terms of strategy, a resignation is better than going to fight this kind of thing.”

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net