Presidency rejects political motive in Chief Justice’s suspension

The Office of the President has firmly denied allegations by suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo that the ongoing proceedings to remove her from office are politically driven.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Accra, Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that President John Dramani Mahama has acted in full compliance with the 1992 Constitution.

Kwakye Ofosu stated that the President has no personal involvement in the direction or content of the ongoing process, which is being carried out under Article 146 of the Constitution.

 “Let me place on record, without fear of contradiction, and let me be clear, that no such political agenda exists,” he asserted.

He added: “His Excellency the President took an oath—incidentally sworn by Her Ladyship the Chief Justice herself—to abide by the Constitution. That is exactly what he has done.”

His remarks follow a press briefing by Justice Torkornoo earlier on Wednesday rejecting calls for her resignation and accusing the presidency of facilitating what she described as an “opaque” and “unlawful” process.

 “If I resign under these circumstances, I would be endorsing this flawed, unknown and opaque process as acceptable. It is not,” she stated.

Responding to the Chief Justice’s claims,  Kwakye Ofosu insisted that the President’s role in the matter has been limited to constitutionally mandated duties—particularly the forwarding of petitions—without influencing the content or outcome of the process. “The President cannot have a personal view on such petitions. If he refused to act, he would himself be in breach of the Constitution,” he said.

The spokesperson also addressed criticism surrounding the choice of venue for the hearings—held near the Osu Castle—with some alleging it was intended to exert pressure on the Chief Justice.  Kwakye Ofosu dismissed such suggestions. “That facility is used to host visiting dignitaries. It is not intimidating. It is a state-owned facility requested by the committee for logistical convenience. To suggest otherwise is unjustifiable,” he explained.

He noted that the proceedings are held in camera as mandated by Article 146(8), rendering the choice of venue immaterial in terms of public pressure or optics.

Regarding concerns about leaked information, Kwakye Ofosu rejected claims that the presidency had breached confidentiality. Instead, he pointed to an earlier leak originating from the judiciary. “In fact, the first leak came from a letter authored by the Chief Justice herself, requesting a copy of the petition. That letter appeared in the media before it even reached the President,” he said.

Kwakye Ofosu also rebuffed comparisons between the current proceedings and the 1982 murders of judges, calling such links “most disingenuous.” “To associate this constitutionally mandated process with that dark chapter of our history is regrettable. There is no nexus between the two,” he said.

He reiterated that no public official is above the law, stressing that constitutional accountability applies to all officeholders, regardless of rank.

“We cannot have a sacred cow mentality in our democracy. Every public officeholder, including the Chief Justice, is bound by law. Once a complaint is made, the appropriate constitutional process must take its course,” he said.