President John Dramani Mahama has received the first report of the Article 146 Committee of Inquiry investigating three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The report was presented Monday morning at the Presidency by the committee’s chair, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, who stressed that the panel had worked strictly in line with Article 146(7) and (8).
He noted that proceedings were held in camera, “not the same as in secret,”to protect the integrity of the process, despite what he described as “blatant false statements” made about the committee’s work.
On the first petition, filed by businessman Daniel Ofori, the panel heard testimony from 13 witnesses for the petitioner, while the Chief Justice, who also testified and was cross-examined, called 12 witnesses, including experts.
About 10,000 pages of documentary evidence were submitted, with each side represented by four lawyers.
“After critical and dispassionate examination and assessment of all the evidence, including expert evidence against the provisions of the Constitution and relevant laws, we have, without fear or favour, arrived at a recommendation on the first petition,” Justice Pwamang said before handing the sealed report to the President.
He added that both the second petitioner and the Chief Justice had requested an adjournment of the second petition, which was granted.
The committee will report on the second and third petitions “in due time.”
Source: Myxyzonline.com
