Constitutional lawyer, Raymond Bidema, has strongly defended President John Mahama against accusations of constitutional breaches following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
In an interview on Accra-based Starr FM, Mr. Bidema dismissed claims by the Minority in Parliament that the President violated Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution.
“If you look at the Constitution, it is very clear on how matters 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 a prima facie case exists,” he explained.
Mr. Bidema clarified that once such a case is established, Article 146(6) gives the President the authority to suspend the Chief Justice while proceedings are ongoing.
He stressed that the Minority’s claims were based on a narrow interpretation of the Constitution and failed to reflect the broader legal framework governing presidential powers.
“The President acted lawfully,” he insisted, noting that the constitutional procedure had been followed to the letter.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
