Concern against CJ’s request for more justices isn’t about competence but timing & procedure – Kpebu

Private legal Practitioner Martin Kpebu, has said that the concerns raised against Justice Gertrude Araba Esaba Torkonoo to President Akufo-Addo requesting for the addition of five more justices are not about the competence of the names that have come up.

He says the concerns are about the timing and the procedure for the appointments.

For the president to appoint Supreme Court justices there has to be a recommendation from the Judicial Council to that effect, Kpebu said.

Without a recommendation from the Judicial Council, the president cannot proceed with the process of appointing new justices of the apex court, he added.

Kpebu said on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, July 6 that “There must be a recommendation from the Judicial Council…If the president has not received advice from the judicial council he cannot start.”

He added “But that the nominees are not bad, it is the timing that is bad. These are fine justices but it is about procedure and timing, this debate is not about competence at all.”

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, said it is worthy to note that the Supreme Court of Ghana is quite unique and different from other Supreme Courts around the world.

Godfred Dame said this while rejecting claims that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is packing the Supreme Court following the recent request by the Chief Justice to appoint five more justices of the apex court.

“What I am aware of is the request from Chief Justice, I believe that the Judiciary is no doubt better placed to provide ample justification for the need for an enhanced Supreme Court, but again it is worthy to note that the Supreme Court of Ghana is quite unique and different from other Supreme Courts around the world,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the United States Independence Day Event at the Embassy Garden in Accra.

So it is not the case that you are packing the court? he was asked.

In answer, Godfred Dame said, “Definitely not so what is this allegation about packing the court.”