Former CJ Torkornoo deserves her retirement benefits despite removal – Kpebu

Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu says former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo should not be denied her retirement benefits despite her removal from office.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Kpebu argued that past Chief Justices had also been cited in audit reports for similar issues, making it unfair to strip Justice Torkornoo of her entitlements.

“So it’s because we know that her predecessors had been doing the same thing, that’s why I kept saying no, then let her resign. She’s not the first, so she will get her benefits. That’s the main reason I said something could be negotiated,” he explained.

According to him, losing her office was already a heavy punishment.

“For me, losing the office was sufficient punishment. But to lose her benefits, too, was like overkill. Even today, if you ask me, would you support a call for her to be given her benefits? I still say yes,” he added.

On whether Justice Torkornoo’s ongoing legal challenge was linked to securing her benefits, Mr. Kpebu said he could not be certain but admitted it may be a factor.

He also clarified that the absence of malicious intent does not absolve one from liability under the law.

“It’s not all the time that the law requires a guilty mind. Once it’s willful, and that can also mean reckless, the law can hold you responsible,” he noted.

Mr. Kpebu further expressed concern about fairness in the case, suggesting that other officials who engaged in similar practices had not faced the same consequences.

“It really wrenches my heart because we all know this thing has been there for years. Others probably abused it more than her, but they got off. I still think we could do something for her,” he said.