Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has argued that the removal of former Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice inevitably impacts her position as a judge of the Supreme Court.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 20, Mr Dafeamekpor explained that the constitutional design does not separate the dual functions of the Chief Justice, who serves both as the administrative head of the judiciary and as a member of the highest court.
“The processes that led to her removal were in respect of her position as Chief Justice. That is untenable – that is not the constitutional architecture that we have,” he said.
“Our constitutional architecture is that the Chief Justice sits in a composite capacity, as a judge, and as well as head of the judiciary.
“Therefore, where your administrative functions have been called into question and led to a petition resulting in your removal, it also affects your role as a judge,” he added.
Mr Dafeamekpor argued that questions over Justice Torkornoo’s administrative propriety go directly to her fitness to continue sitting on the bench of the Supreme Court.
“This is because it goes to the propriety of being eligible to sit or to be fit for purpose as a judge,” he stressed.
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