While the search for a new Chief Justice to replace Justice George Kingsley Acquah continues, Justice Francois Yaonansu Kpegah has taken over as the acting Chief Justice. Justice Kpegah’s assumption of office was in line with Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution, which states that in the event of the Chief Justice’s office being declared vacant, the next in order of seniority takes charge until a substantive CJ is appointed.
“Where the office of Chief Justice is vacant, or where the Chief Justice is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office, those functions shall be performed by the most senior of the justices of the Supreme Court,” the Constitution states.
Justice Kpegah, contrary to an earlier report that he was indisposed, is the most senior justice and has therefore assumed office as the acting Chief Justice. The acting CJ who had been on leave resumes today, Daily Guide has learnt.
However, sources said the acting CJ’s vehicle is not in the best of condition, since his official car was involved in an accident and no replacement had been made for it.
Daily Guide is reliably informed that President John Agyekum Kufuor, in a letter to the Judicial Secretary, asked all Justices of the Supreme Court to cooperate fully and support the acting Chief Justice.
Sources described attempts to portray Justice Kpegah as unfit on medical grounds, as cheap propaganda. The acting Chief Justice, the sources noted, had not informed government about his perceived incapability to perform his role. Daily Guide reported that there was a hot chase for the CJ seat with three justices reportedly penciled down.
Justices Georgina T. Wood, Dr. S.K. Date-Bah and Prof Tawiah Modibo Ocran are said to be the front-runners for the vacant Chief Justice position.
Other justices of the Supreme Court in order of seniority are Justices William A. Atuguba, Ms. Sophia A.B. Akuffo, Theodore Adzoe, S. Allan Brobbey, Seth Twum, Julius Ansah, R.T. Aninakwa, Mrs. Sophia Ophelia Adjeibea Adinyira and Samuel Kwadwo Asiamah. The late Chief Justice, Mr. Justice George Kingsley Acquah died on Sunday at the 37 Military Hospital after a protracted struggle with cancer.
Justice Acquah who received medical attention in both India and the United States was flown into the country recently and admitted at the military hospital in Accra where he finally passed away.
Source: GhanaWeb
