Former Attorney General, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, has criticised the handling of proceedings regarding a petition for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, describing the process as deeply unfair and procedurally questionable.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 6, the former diplomat revealed that neither he nor his legal team were informed that the petitioners had filed their submissions leaving them blindsided and unable to respond.

“We didn’t even know the petitioners had filed submissions,” he said. “Where is the fairness? They didn’t even wait for us to file whatever. They did not say that if we don’t file it by a certain date, they would take it that we are no longer interested in filing. But they just went ahead.”

According to Mr Otoo, the petitioners seemingly proceeded on the basis of a one-sided record, submitting their materials without giving the Chief Justice’s legal team the opportunity to be heard or respond. This, he warned.

“Apparently, having prepared whatever they wanted to prepare, they went and submitted it based upon one-sided submission,” he added.