Presidency receives petition for removal of CJ
The civil society group had petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to investigate the Chief Justice following accusations by one lawyer, Akwasi Afrifa that he had requested a $5m bribe to influence a case in his favor.
Ghana’s Presidency has announced that it has received a petition from civil society group, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) for the removal of Chief Justice Kwesi Anin Yeboah.
A letter sighted by Dennislaw News, signed by the secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante refers to the petition as presented by the Executive Director of the ASEPA, Mr. Mensah Thompson.
The letter further indicates that the Presidency has “in accordance with article 146 (6) of the Constitution, commenced the appropriate processes subsequent to being petitioned for the removal of the Chief Justice.”
Article 146 (6) states that “where the petition is for the removal of the Chief Justice, the President shall, acting in consultation with the Council of State, appoint a committee consisting of two Justices of the Supreme Court, one of whom shall be appointed chairman by the President, and three other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor members of Parliament, nor lawyers.”
The civil society group had petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to investigate the Chief Justice following accusations by one lawyer, Akwasi Afrifa that he had requested a $5m bribe to influence a case in his favor.
The Chief Justice denied the accusations and subsequently referred the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department as well as the General Legal Council.
ASEPA however petitioned the Presidency to activate Article 146 of the Constitution and consequently commence impeachment proceedings against the Chief Justice.
