By Belinda Nketia
Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye, in an emergency press briefing at the Presidency, has asserted that, using Adu Lodge for hearings into the Chief Justice’s suspension was based on logistics and not intimidation as posited by suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonor.
He revealed that the committee formed to investigate the issue at hand requested a facility with specific standards, and the state only made Adu Lodge available upon request.
“It’s a public facility often used to host high-ranking officials. The idea that it is used to intimidate is misplaced, unfair, and unjustified,” he said.
The minister added that the President had no role in choosing the venue and dismissed concerns about the setting affecting the fairness of proceedings, which are required by law to be held in camera.
He also rejected attempts to draw links between the ongoing case and the unfortunate killing of some judges and a military person to the ongoing issue surrounding the suspension of the Chief Justice. He called such comparisons “disingenuous” and “regrettable.”
“There is no connection between the petitions and that dark chapter of our history. This government has nothing to do with the killing of any judge,” he added.
These statements from Felix Kwakye came about moments after a media briefing by the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
The Chief Justice noted that she respected the President’s suspension order out of deference to the office, even though it defied constitutional requirements and lacked a prima facie determination as required under Article 146. She also added that the venue used to see to the proceedings of her case is deliberately chosen to intimidate her.
In response, the government’s spokesperson noted that Justice Gertrude Torkonor is allowed to express any view she holds about the matter, to the extent that it is consistent with the Constitution. However, according to the minister, a number of things were said that, if left uncorrected, could create an erroneous impression and project the government in a very unfair, unjust, and unwarranted light.
He concluded with an assurance to Ghanaians that the President has expressed fidelity on this issue and has gone strictly in accordance with the 1992 constitution, Article 146 to be precise.
