May 5 protest for Judicial independence, not CJ – John Darko

The Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko, has clarified that the New Patriotic Party’s planned protest on Monday, May 5, is not a show in defence for suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, but rather a demonstration against what the party views as a dangerous attack on judicial independence under the current administration.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s political talk show, Big Issue, on Saturday, May 3, Darko stated emphatically that the demonstration was aimed at defending the sanctity of the judiciary and not the individual involved.

“For me, what the NPP is doing on Monday, May 5, is a protest against the destruction of the independence of the judiciary. It is not in defence of Torkonoo,” he said.

His comments come in the lead-up to the NPP’s joint demonstration with four other political parties, all of whom have condemned the suspension of the Chief Justice as an unconstitutional act and a threat to the balance of power in the country’s democratic structure.

President John Dramani Mahama, on Tuesday, April 22, suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkonoo after a prima facie case was established based on three separate petitions calling for her removal. The move was executed under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, following consultations with the Council of State.

The President’s action has been sharply criticised by opposition parties and several civil society voices, who argue that it undermines the independence of the judiciary and sets a dangerous precedent, with the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) seeking the revocation of the suspension.