The Commissioner for human rights and administrative justice body, CHRAJ, Lauretta Lamptey has her job on the line after Chief Justice, Georgina Wood, initiated investigations to ascertain if she has abused her office. 

Justice Georgina Wood has established a prima facie case against the CHRAJ boss after studying a number of petitions forwarded to her by President John Mahama.

One of such petitioners is the leader a pressure group Progressive Nationalist Forum, Richard Nyamah, who after receiving the CJ’s 24-paged decision, described it as “gratifying”.

Ms Lauretta Lamptey paid close to $5,000 monthly rent on her plush AU Village apartment for 33 months while over GHS180,000 was being spent to renovate her official bungalow.

Media reports of the expenditure attracted public opprobrium for the human rights and administrative justice Commissioner.

With the position of the CHRAJ Commissioner being equal to a Court of Appeal Judge, the procedures for Ms Lamptey's removal from office, would start with credible evidence of corruption and abuse of office by the Chief Justice's investigations.

Article 146 (3) of the constitution states that “If the President receives a petition for the removal of Justice of a Superior Court other than the Chief Justice or for the removal of the Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, he shall refer the petition to the Chief Justice, who shall determine whether there is a prima facie case.”

Expressing delight that the decision of the CJ, Richard Nyamah noted a “critical hurdle in the impeachment process” has began.

Read statement from Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF)

CHIEF JUSTICE MAKES PRIMA FACIE CASE AGAINST CHRAJ BOSS

I am delighted in a measure, I suppose the entire nation would, to learn that Her Ladyship the Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, has made a prima facie case on my petition for the removal of the Commissioner of the CHRAJ from office.

Yesterday, my Counsel Samson Lardy ANYENINI’s chambers received official communication from the august office of the Chief Justice to this effect.

A 24-page report containing the decision notes the petition grounded on “… acts of serious misconduct, inappropriate exercise of office, serious misjudgement, breaches of laws and public trust” together with its accompanying exhibits as well as a response provided by Ms. Lauretta Vivian Lamptey have been carefully examined by the Chief Justice acting in her administrative capacity as she is constitutionally mandated.

It concludes that “… a prima facie case has been made to justify full investigations into the complaints….”

While duly recognising that this finding is not conclusive of guilt, it is gratifying to cross this critical hurdle in the impeachment process.

It is also reassuring that the accompanying letter signed by Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong on the directions of the Chief Justice, says “(t)he Hon. Lady Chief Justice in compliance with Article 146(4) of the 1992 Constitution is therefore in the process of setting up a committee to investigate the compliant.”

H.E President John Mahama is humbly reminded the coast is now clear and urged to act on the earlier appeal to him to consider exercising his Article 146 (10) (b) constitutional powers to suspend Ms. Lamptey pending investigations.

This has become even more important over news that she has not only lost the requisite moral standing to preside over matters of human rights abuse and administrative injustices but has also brought CHRAJ’s reputation into serious question internationally.

Long live Ghana.

Signed

Richard Nyamah

Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF)