NPP flagbearer aspirant Kwabena Agyepong has strongly criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkonoo, describing the process as deliberate, baseless, and a needless drain on state resources.
Speaking on the AM Show, Agyepong argued that the petition which led to Justice Torkonoo’s dismissal should never have been endorsed by President John Mahama.
He maintained that the accusations against her fell far below the standard required to initiate such a significant constitutional action.
“This frivolous petition should never have made it past the president’s desk. Never,” he said. “I’m disappointed that the state’s time and resources were wasted removing a Chief Justice who had not committed any serious offence.”
Agyepong claimed the move appeared politically motivated and aimed at exerting pressure on the judiciary. He said the NDC had hinted at such actions even before the elections, and the removal only confirmed those signals.
He questioned the merit of the allegations against Justice Torkonoo, insisting that no solid evidence of misconduct had been established.
“You are a journalist—what have you actually heard that shows she was culpable?” he asked.
Agyepong also contrasted the NDC’s steps with the criticisms they previously levelled at former President Akufo-Addo regarding judicial appointments.
According to him, although the NDC accused Akufo-Addo of “packing the courts,” the former president was simply filling vacancies as they arose. He added that even though he personally preferred a smaller Supreme Court, the practice was not improper.
Looking forward, Agyepong said that if elected president, he would place a limit on the number of Supreme Court justices and eliminate the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges at the apex court.
