The Office of the Chief Justice has set up a five-member committee to investigate complaints of misconduct filed against the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Lauretta Vivian Lamptey.
According to Daily Graphic, the committee which constitutes two justices of the Supreme Court, an Appeal Court judge and two other members will be chaired by Mr. Justice Annin Yeboah, a Justice of the Supreme Court.
[contextly_sidebar id=”e2CyX4eUg6hPlbmcMAIKpDcg7ZF16QlP”] Other members of the committee are Mr Justice A.A. Benin, a Supreme Court judge; Ms Justice Mariama Owusu, a Court of Appeal judge; Mr Edwin P.D. Barnes, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of the Interior, and Brigadier-General Fuseini Iddrisu.
The investigation follows a prima facie case filed against the Commissioner.
Prima Facie case
Mr. Annor Dompreh, in September 2014, submitted a petition demanding the removal of Lauretta Lamptey after it was revealed that she had spent about $180,000 on rent alone within three years.
President Mahama subsequently directed the Chief Justice to investigate her after incessant calls by various groups and individuals.
After weeks of investigations, the Chief Justice(CJ) announced that a prima facie case has been established against Lauretta Lamptey to justify full investigations into the complaints against her.
A 24-page report containing the decision noted that 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. Lauretta Vivian Lamptey have been carefully examined by the Chief Justice acting in her administrative capacity as she is constitutionally mandated.”
Disappointment
Lauretta Lamptey had earlier expressed disappointment in the decision taken by the Chief Justice to establish a prima facie case against her.
She stated that a Special Purpose Audit had already been carried out into her accommodation arrangements; therefore, the prima facie case was unwarranted.
“I am of course very disappointed by the fact that the Chief Justice has determined that a prima facie case has been established against me, which therefore needs further investigation.”
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana