Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has stated that although former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo lost her position, she should not be denied her retirement benefits.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Kpebu argued that some of the issues raised against the former Chief Justice had also occurred under her predecessors, making it unfair to strip her of all entitlements.
“So it’s because we know that her predecessors had been doing the same thing, that’s why I kept saying no, then let her resign. She’s not the first, so she will get her benefits. That’s the main reason I said something could be negotiated,” he said.
According to Mr. Kpebu, past audit reports had flagged similar inappropriate payments and even requested earlier Chief Justices to refund money.
“For me, losing the office was sufficient punishment. But to lose her benefits, too, was like overkill. Even today, if you ask me, would you support a call for her to be given her benefits? I still say yes,” he added.
On whether the ongoing legal challenge is solely about securing benefits, Mr Kpebu said he could not be certain but admitted it might be a factor.
He also dismissed suggestions that the former Chief Justice’s actions did not constitute wrongdoing simply because there was no malicious intent, emphasising that the law can hold someone accountable for reckless or negligent conduct.
“It’s not all the time that the law requires a guilty mind. Once it’s willful and that can also mean reckless, the law can hold you responsible,” he explained.
Mr Kpebu further expressed concern about fairness in the matter, noting that similar actions by others had gone unpunished.
“It really wrenches my heart because we all know this thing has been there for years. Others probably abused it more than her, but they got off. I still think we could do something for her,” he said.
Read also: Torkornoo challenges her removal as Justice of the Supreme Court
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