The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has defended President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to initiate removal proceedings against the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo, describing criticisms of the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional basis.

Addressing journalists in Parliament on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Ayariga emphasised that the President acted strictly within the confines of the 1992 Constitution in response to petitions submitted for the Chief Justice’s removal.

“I pay attention to the process, so far, I have not heard anybody specifically say that this part of the process is not provided for in the constitution, if the constitution said a process in-camera, when you were being vetted in this Parliament and you were being appointed as the Chief Justice, why didn't you say that ‘I am accepting the job subject to me not accepting the procedure for removing me?’” he queried.

He further insisted that by accepting the role, Justice Torkornoo had, in essence, agreed to both the privileges and the disciplinary processes that come with it.

“You cannot accept to enjoy the perks of the office of Chief Justice and then reject the procedure by which you may be removed. It's a package. Where were you when you were being appointed Chief Justice?

"The constitution creates the office of Chief Justice, and the same constitution creates the procedure by which the Chief justice should be removed. If you accept the office, you must accept the procedure by which you are going to be removed, it's a package. You cannot accept to enjoy the perks of the office of Chief justice and then the procedure by which you will be removed, you say that you will not accept that one", he stated.

He asserted that the President Mahama had done no wrong in acting on the petitions.

“Where were you when you were being appointed Chief Justice? So sometimes I don't even understand where people are coming from. Let’s be clear when we are communicating to the public. The President has not engaged in one single wrongdoing in this whole process", he added.

MAG/MA

Speaker condemns Parliamentary misconduct, cautions against repetition