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Dismissal of EC chairperson: Akufo-Addo had no option - Lawyer

By Clement Edward Kumsah
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Private legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini has stated that, President Akufo-Addo was bound by recommendations by the five-member committee set up by the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo to dismiss the EC Chairperson from office.

EC Chairperson, Charlotte Osei was on Thursday, June 28, 2018, dismissed alongside with her two deputies Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwa by President Akufo-Addo.

According to the statement from the Presidency, the decision by President Akufo-Addo was based on some recommendations from a committee set up by the Chief Justice to investigate allegations levelled against the EC Chairperson Charlotte Osei, and her two deputies Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwa.

However, commenting on the dismissal of the EC Chairperson, Private legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini in a Facebook post clarified that President Akufo-Addo had no option than to act based on the recommendations of the committee.

“PRESIDENT IS BOUND BY RECOMMENDATIONS"

In the Ms Lamptey case, lawyers for Petitioner and Respondent were directed by the panel to submit written addresses after the hearing which travelled seven months despite the fact that at least two days were dedicated to ensuring speedy conclusion, and the chairman insisted on fidelity to those days. We were supplied with certified copies of the record of proceedings for the purposes of the addresses. We each analyzed the evidence and made references to the relevant laws and authorities to make a case for our clients.

“The panel eventually submitted its report to the CJ and she forwarded same to the President. The President then issued the letter communicating the recommendation of her dismissal in November 2015. The report is submitted to the CJ because it is the CJ who sets up the committee. President, like the CJ, is bound by the recommendations and cannot alter anything in the report or act contrary to same. The wisdom in keeping the President in the picture from commencement to completion is to afford him (the appointing authority) the opportunity of knowing what is happening to his/her appointee, and also to perform the ceremony of issuing the letter of dismissal.”

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