The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Constitutional and Legal Committee, Frank Davies, has raised concerns about the procedures leading to the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama.

Speaking with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Thursday, April 1, Frank Davies criticised the manner in which the issue has played out in the public domain, warning that it threatens the integrity of judicial independence.

“Now, the removal of the Chief Justice is reduced to the court of public opinion. And senior political actors of the government are making judgmental remarks that the Chief Justice will surely be removed,” he said.

He added that while no public official is above scrutiny, due process must be followed.

“No executive officer is beyond reproach, or cannot be subjected to investigative authority, but the process has to be lawful and regular…Why should people go ahead of themselves and say all manner of things? Is it what we call the independence of the judiciary? he asked.

President Mahama suspended the Chief Justice on Tuesday, April 22, following the establishment of a prima facie case based on petitions submitted by private citizen Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic group Shining Stars of Ghana. A five-member committee has since been set up to investigate the matter.