CJ to probe CHRAJ boss
The Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Woode, has established a prima facie case against the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Madam Lauretta Vivian Lamptey, to justify full investigations into the complaints of abuse of office levelled against the CHRAJ boss.
This was contained in a statement issued by Richard Nyamah of the Progressive Nationalist Forum (PNF), one of the people who petitioned President John Mahama for the removal of the CHRAJ boss.
This means on the first determination or investigation into the matter, the CHRAJ boss is guilty of the accusations unless there is evidence to the contrary.
According to the statement, “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 Lamptey, have been carefully examined by the Chief Justice, acting in her administrative capacity as she is constitutionally mandated.”
Mr Nyamah and the Member of Parliament for Nsawam, Mr Frank Annor Dompreh, petitioned the President to impeach Madam Lamptey after reports of the expenditure on her rent came into the public domain.
The statement said lawyers for Mr Nyamah received the official response from the Office of the Chief Justice last Tuesday, December 2, 2014.
With the position of the CHRAJ Commissioner being equal to that of a Court of Appeal judge, the procedure for Ms Lamptey's removal from office will start with credible evidence of corruption and abuse of office from the Chief Justice's investigations.
Article 146 (3) of the Constitution states: “If the President receives a petition for the removal of a 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.”
Background
The petition by the petitioners was triggered by the Daily Graphic’s investigations into the conduct of the CHRAJ boss.
Madam Lamptey has come under public criticism over allegations that she has been staying at the Best Western Premier Hotel since August this year, at a cost of $450 (GH¢1,400) per day to the state because the renovation of her official residence has stalled since 2011.
It is estimated that her accommodation has so far cost the state GH¢160,000 in three months.
