CHRAJ boss’ suspension "timely"- Emile Short

Former CHRAJ boss Justice Emile Short has described as “timely” the suspension of the embattled head of the anti-graft agency Ms. Lauretta V. Lamptey by President John Mahama.

According to him, the decision will not affect the operations of the Commission.

A statement signed by the Chief of Staff Prosper Bani Tuesday said “The suspension follows the establishment of a prima facie case against Ms. Lamptey by the Chief Justice, and the setting up of a five (5)-member committee to investigate complaints made against her.”

Short told Citi FM “ I think that the announcement is timely given that the recommendation for her suspension was given by the five member judicial committee which looked into the matter”.

In August last year, Lamptey moved into a hotel after her US$5,500 monthly rent for the apartment, including utility bills, at the AU Village expired.

Her official residence, which was previously occupied by her predecessor Justice Francis Emile Short, was at the time redesigned with several variations at her instance, all at a cost of GH¢182,000.

Lamptey, as of late last year was paying 456 dollars a day for her hotel accommodation. In total, about GH¢161,302.5 was spent on Lamptey’s stay in the hotel between August and November 2014.

The controversy led to the removal of CHRAJ from a list of Human Rights Commissions for an International study.

Anti-graft body Ghana Integrity Initiative had earlier asked Ms Lamptey to step aside voluntarily for investigations to be made into the saga.

Lamptey’s suspension, Mr. Bani noted, is to protect the integrity of the enquiry.

Ms. Lamptey has been asked to hand over her duties to a Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr. Richard Quayson, not later than Friday January 16, 2015.