Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has raised concerns over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's decision to keep under wraps the outcome of investigations into a petition filed by the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) that sought to remove the Chief Justice from office.
ASEPA's petition comes on the heels of a bribery allegation against the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah.
The Chief Justice has been accused by a private legal practitioner, Kwasi Afrifa that he had demanded a $5 million bribe to deliver a favourable judgment in a case involving his client.
Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah denied the allegation and called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter.
However, the President constitutionally referred the issue to the Council of State which held investigations in camera and on Friday presented their findings to the President.
The Council of State findings were not made public but President Akufo-Addo, after studying the report, threw out the petition saying it is "devoid of any basis warranting the setting up of a committee under Article 146 (6) to undertake the very serious business of removing a Chief Justice from office.”
" . . the Supreme Court in interpreting article 146 (6) had in mind unmeritorious and unwarranted petitions such as the instant one. The petition is dismissed accordingly,” the statement dated August 20, 2021, added.
Kwesi Pratt, discussing the petition on Peace FM's morning show ''Kokrokoo'', wondered why the Council of State findings were not made public.
He, therefore, called for legal interpretations on why the contents of the report were concealed, trying to find out whether it is lawful or unlawful.
"It's enshrined in the constitution that investigations into a matter of such magnitude is not publicized. It is done in camera but that also raises other issues. If you hold investigations in camera, does it mean the report should not be made public?'', he questioned.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Uncle Kwesi, why are you behaving like this in the tail end of your career.Some of us admired you and likes of Kwaku Baako, Eben Quarcoo,Yaw Amfo Kwakye, Pro Karikari and others. A report was given to the government only last WEEK, they have to study it and issue comment on it. Now you are saying the government has hidden it. Your utterances has the tendency to denigrate the chief justice. Please in terms of communication I NEED NOT TO ADVICE YOU.
Pratt is s disgraced commentator!
Confusionist!
Mr. too known, if you have seen what Ghanaians have not seen in the report of which you are accusing the president of hiding, let us (Ghanaians) know what you have seen. Mr ***barred word***. Why were you silent about your parties candidate (JDM) in the airbus saga? Nemesis will catch up with you one day. ***barred word*** journalist.
Kwesi Pratt is the most dangerous politician in Ghana, he can do or say anything for his selfish interest. Now he's not on payroll so he's hungry, where did you get money to educate your children in expensive schools outside? If you want the report go for it.