I disagree with GBA's demands, their judgment is biased - Adawudu

Published 2 weeks ago• 2 minute read

Victor Adawudu, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Legal Team, has criticised the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA) demand for the revocation of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s suspension, calling it biased and unjustified.

The GBA had urged President John Mahama to immediately revoke Justice Torkornoo’s suspension, describing the action as unconstitutional and a threat to judicial independence.

According to the Association, President Mahama’s exercise of discretionary power under Article 146(10) lacks the proper legal backing, such as a Constitutional Instrument or Regulation, as mandated by Article 296 of the Constitution. They argued that the absence of such guidelines makes the suspension procedurally flawed.

However, in an exclusive interview on Channel One Newsroom on Tuesday, April 29, Adawudu questioned the GBA’s involvement in the matter, arguing that the Association has remained silent on many important national issues over the years.

He insisted that President Mahama has not breached due process, stating that the president’s actions regarding the Chief Justice are consistent with constitutional procedures.

According to him, similar procedures were followed under former Chief Justices George Kingsley Acquah and Georgina Theodora Wood.

Adawudu expressed strong disagreement with the GBA, accusing the Association of bias and suggesting its stance was politically influenced.

“As a member of GBA, I disagree with some of the things they have said. They are behaving as if Article 146 is a new provision that has been inserted by President Mahama or the NDC government. This provision has been there. This procedure has been tested. It is not only the time of Her Ladyship Torkornoo.

“If GBA thinks that the procedure that has been tested, and there is a case that has been pronounced on Article 146, that is the Attorney General, and they are saying that something different should be done, I think they have gotten it all wrong. It shows how biased and their judgment has been coloured. I disagree with them,” he said.