The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam /Adoagyiri, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to initiate an action through the Chief Justice to investigate the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ms Lauretta Lamptey, over her three-year stay in a hotel.
In a petiton, the MP said “Ms Lauretta Lamptey has allegedly denigrated the image of the institution she leads and supervises as well as demonstrated gross incompetence.”
Therefore, he said, if found culpable, the CHRAJ Commissioner should be made to face the full rigours of the law.
“The thrust of this petition is to create awareness to the extent that a lot more remains to be done if Ghana is to blossom in an atmosphere free of corruption and succeed in becoming a real gateway to Africa that we can all be proud of.
“I hope that this petition will be forwarded to the appropriate quarters for an action,” the petition said.
Petition
The petition is in respect of Mrs Lamptey’s decision to spend about $180,000 for her three-year stay in a hotel in Accra.
She has lodged at a hotel since her tenancy expired in 2013 and has confirmed paying $456.25 daily.
News about Ms Lamptey’s stay in the hotel has attracted criticism from various sections of the Ghanaian public , prompting various groups and individuals to call for her removal.
Auditor General
The Auditor General is said to have already begun an audit into the matter.
However, Mr Annoh-Dompreh said per the constitution it was clear and unambiguous that the investigation by the Auditor General would still not undermine or discount a petition submitted to the presidency.
The petition described Ms Lamptey’s conduct as unfortunate, especially at a time Ghana was in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a possible bail out from the economic challenge.
Removal of a CHRAJ Boss
The CHRAJ boss has the powers of a Justice of a Superior Court, so she can only be removed under the condition spelt out by Article 146 of the constitution. Article 146 of the constitution stipulates that:
1) A Justice of the Superior Court or Chairman of the Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence or on ground of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind.
The clause 3 states that “If the President receives a petition for the removal of a Justice of a Superior Court other than the Chief Justice… he shall refer the petition to the Chief Justice, who shall determine whether there is a prima facie case.”
