Constitutional lawyer Raymond Bidema has dismissed claims by the Minority in Parliament that President John Mahama violated constitutional procedures in suspending Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Speaking to Tutuwaa Danso on Starr Today, Bidema argued that the president's decision was in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, contrary to the Minority's contention that Article 296 was bypassed during the process. "If you look at the Constitution, it is very clear as to how a matter of this nature should be handled.
Whenever there is a petition against the Chief Justice, the President must, in consultation with the Council of State, determine whether or not a prima facie case has been made.
Once that is established, it is the prerogative of the President to either suspend the Chief Justice or not, and that is anchored in the Constitution," Bidema explained.
