“Torkornoo formula will haunt future Chief Justices” – Fatimatu Abubakar

Former Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar has warned that the removal of Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, risks setting a precedent that could destabilise the judiciary with every change of government.

Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (6 September) Abubakar said what happened to Justice Torkornoo was “not a surprise,” suggesting her position had long been undermined by political hostility.

She recalled comments by John Dramani Mahama in 2022, then opposition leader, that he would “balance out” the courts if elected president.

“What will happen in the future is inevitable. Whoever you bring in the future, the Torkornoo formula must apply. As soon as there is a change in government, the petitions will start flying,” she said.

“Balance it out as I understand it today means that the president would remove justices who are perceived not to be my allies and replace them with NDC judges,” she argued.

Abubakar accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of inconsistency in its dealings with the judiciary, citing its praise for the courts in the ambulance case but frequent criticism when rulings did not favour them.

She further described the petition that led to Justice Torkornoo’s removal, filed by Daniel Ofori, as lacking substance.

“The petition did not come with evidence. How do you establish a prima facie on something that has not been substantiated?” she asked.

Calling the development a “political witch-hunt,” Abubakar warned that the case undermined judicial independence and would “inevitably” be repeated against future Chief Justices.

Source: AsaaseRadio