LINSOD slams GBA over call to revoke suspension of Chief Justice

Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD) has strongly criticized the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for urging President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Araba Torkornoo.

At a press conference on Tuesday, April 30, 2025, LINSOD President Eric Delanyo Alifo ESQ described the GBA’s call as disappointing and politically biased, insisting that the President acted fully within constitutional boundaries.

“We of LINSOD cannot help but have tremendous admiration for H.E. President John Mahama for his total adherence to due process, and for upholding the tenets of the rule of law and constitutionalism,” Alifo stated.

The GBA’s resolution, passed during a Mini-Bar Conference on April 26 and made public on April 29, described the Chief Justice’s suspension as unconstitutional and called on President Mahama to rescind the decision.

In response, Alifo maintained that the President followed Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. He explained that after receiving petitions against the Chief Justice, the President consulted the Council of State, referred the matter to the Chief Justice for a response, and upon the establishment of a prima facie case, a committee was constituted to investigate, culminating in the Chief Justice’s suspension.

“It is therefore troubling that the Bar Association, which just a few days ago found no fault with the President’s conduct, has suddenly reversed course to attack the same process.”

He further accused the GBA of exhibiting consistent political bias against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leaders, citing past incidents under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government that, according to him, went largely unchallenged by the Bar.

“We are appalled by the Association’s tradition of double standards, posturing, and bias against NDC regimes. Under Akufo-Addo’s NPP regime, thugs invaded a courtroom and frightened a pregnant judge; a sitting Auditor General and Electoral Commission Chairperson were unlawfully removed, yet the GBA was largely silent,” he asserted.

LINSOD, a civil society group composed of Ghanaian lawyers and GBA members, called on the public to disregard what it termed a clearly partisan position by the Bar Association and urged support for constitutional processes and democratic accountability.

By: Bawa Musah and SS

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