NDC Lawyer Slams Foreign Calls for Chief Justice’s Reinstatement
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu, has criticised the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the Bar Council of England and Wales over their demand for the immediate reinstatement of Ghana’s suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, August 18, Mr. Adawudu argued that the foreign legal bodies had overstepped their mandate, attempting to dictate to Ghana rather than respecting its constitutional processes.
“I think the Bar Council in England and the Commonwealth got it wrong because every country has its constitution. They should not just come and say reinstate the Chief Justice when the committee has not even finished its work,” he said.
Mr. Adawudu further described the groups’ stance as reflecting a “colonial mentality”, stressing that they should have monitored the process instead of issuing what he termed an ultimatum to a sovereign nation.
Background to the Dispute
His comments come in response to a joint statement issued on August 14 by the Bar Council and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, which expressed concern over the April 22 suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo. The bodies urged President John Dramani Mahama to reinstate her immediately, while also calling for transparency in the disciplinary process and full access for her legal team.
The suspension followed three separate petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence, after which President Mahama, in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, set up a five-member investigative committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang. Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was appointed as acting Chief Justice.
The issue has since divided opinion across the legal and political landscape. While groups such as the Ghana Bar Association, the Centre for Democratic Movement, and the opposition NPP have condemned the suspension as unconstitutional and a threat to judicial independence, others insist due process must be allowed to run its course.
Legal Battle Ongoing
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General’s Office has filed a motion at the High Court seeking to strike out a second judicial review application filed by Justice Torkornoo. She is contesting the validity of one of the three petitions, arguing that it was filed by a group without proper legal standing.
Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai has, however, maintained that the petition is valid and that the Chief Justice’s objections should not derail the Article 146 inquiry.
Justice Torkornoo has vowed not to resign, describing her suspension as arbitrary and unconstitutional, while insisting on her right to a fair defence.
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