Renowned academic Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare (aka Kwaku Azar) has criticized former President Akufo-Addo’s handling of his petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
In an interview on the KeyPoints on TV3, Prof. Asare said the then President, in his prima facie determination, not only dismissed his petition without proper investigation but also made baseless allegations against him.
Prof. Asare explained that a prima facie determination is merely to assess whether allegations warrant investigation. However, he said, ex President Akufo- Addo went beyond this limited role, acting instead as a defense attorney for the Chief Justice Torkornoo, attacking him personally, and wrongly alleging he leaked the petition.
“I refused many media interviews after filing the petition because I respected the privacy of the process,” he emphasized, referencing the legal principles from the Agyei Twum case.
He expressed disappointment that biased language was used against him, calling him a “self-acclaimed advocate of good governance.”
“This is the first time I’m speaking publicly about the petition. I thought it was poorly handled from the start,” he stated.
Prof. Asare lamented that serious constitutional issues raised in his petition were brushed aside without proper enquiry, warning that the precedent set by such dismissiveness could have long-term consequences for judicial accountability.
