[ad_1]
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said that, in accordance with constitutional requirements, if it becomes necessary to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Chief Justice following the corruption allegations against him, the whole of the process will take place behind closed doors.
He said this when State Council President Nana Otuo Siribuor presented the Council’s findings on the allegation and petition filed by the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) to impeach the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah. , to him at Jubilee House on Friday August 20.
Nana Otuo Sibiri told the President: “Today we are here specifically, Mr President, to give you our response to a letter that we have received from the Presidency in your hand, Mr President, dated July 26, 2021. .
“In said letter you referred to a petition sent to you by ASEPA which petitioned for the removal of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana following allegations that had been brought against him.
“In accordance with the constitutional requirements of Article 144 (2), 122 (3), and in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Court, Mr. President, we are obliged to determine whether a prima facie case has been made that determination would therefore precede the impeachment process.
“Mr. President, the Council of State has issued its conclusions and we are here to present to you the conclusions of the Council of State as to whether prima facie evidence had been made to justify the launch of an impeachment procedure for the dismissal of the chief justice. “
In response, Mr. Akufo-Addo said: “Understanding Article 146 (7) which binds us all, requires that I consult with you to determine whether the petition which has been sent to me has raised any concerns. prima facie case justifying the creation of the committee, the preliminary stage.
“I am grateful for the intervention you made. It is a pity that we do not have the chance to have a general assembly before this specific subject.
“I understand that the process for the removal of the Chief Justice, indeed all Supreme Court justices, is meant to be a closed-door process so that the content of the consultations between the two of us, your side is in the letter and the mine is also there, will remain confidential for the moment until we are able to announce the result to the world.
“But first I must thank you warmly for the assiduous punctuality with which you continue to exercise your functions as Council of State.
“There are a few people who have made misguided and thoughtless comments about the efficiency of your body, for my part I fully recognize the value of this institution and the work you have done for me and for the country both. in my first term and in this term. So I would like to note it. “
ASEPA had asked the president to invoke the provisions of article 146 to initiate impeachment proceedings against the chief justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah.
The corruption allegations were contained in a response from a lawyer, Akwasi Afrifa, in response to a complaint filed against him by his client before the Disciplinary Commission of the General Legal Council (GLC) that he was bribed to influence the outcome. of a trial case.
Although the Chief Justice denied the charge and asked the police to investigate the case, ASEPA contends that the allegations have discredited the name of the judiciary and cast a serious blow on the judiciary. administration of justice in the country, hence the presidential petition.
Source link
