Chief Justice can't investigate CHRAJ boss - Ayikoi Otoo

A former Attorney General under the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Nii Ayikoi Otoo has said the Chief Justice may not have the authority to investigate the embattled CHRAJ boss as is being demanded of her by President John Mahama.

According to him, although the CHRAJ boss per law has the status of an Appeals Court judge, she cannot be considered as such, in the strict sense of the word.

President Mahama has directed the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Woode, to investigate corruption claims against the Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Lauretta Lamptey.

The Commissioner reportedly spent $148,000 on her 33-month rent and an additional $180,000 on renovating her official residence.

Though Ms. Lamptey has explained the circumstances under which the monies were spent, many insist, she must be removed from office.

Speaking to Joy FM, Monday, Ayikoi Otoo said: “She has the status of an Appeals Court Judge but strictly speaking she is not an Appeals Court Judge.”

He said the Judicial Council, which is expected to undertake the investigations may be limited in their jurisdiction over the matter.

“It is problematic, if she is not a worker of the Judicial Service, then where is the jurisdiction of the council, looking at the remit, they exercise jurisdiction of their members and it does not cover the CHRAJ."