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The brother of the late former President John Evans Atta Mills, Cadman Mills, has reacted to the Bar Council of England and Wales (BCEW) and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) letter demanding the reinstatement of suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo.
According to Cadman Mills, the Bar Council of England and Wales (BCEW) and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) letter should have been returned as irreceivable for its unacceptably disrespectful tone.
In a post on X, in reaction to Dr Clement Apaak, the Deputy Education Minister’s strong-worded statement towards the UK Bar Council and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
Cadman Mills wrote, “IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT DELAY” is a tad tautological, but must be expected from “whom that must be obeyed”. The letter should have been returned as “irreceivable” for its unacceptably disrespectful tone.
Dr Clement Apaak, in his statement, fired shots at the UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers after they issued a statement demanding that President John Mahama reinstate the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
According to Dr Clement Apaak, Ghanaians will not tolerate such nonsensical colonialist-induced insults.
He boldly emphasised that the UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers cannot order President John Mahama.
In a statement shared on X, Dr Clement Apaak wrote, “Ghanaians will not tolerate such nonsensical colonialist-induced insults, disguised as demands, from you. Never! You cannot order our President to “Immediately and without delay reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana…. Such impudences
John Dramani Mahama is the President of Ghana, an independent sovereign nation, and a Republic, for that matter. He is answerable to the people of Ghana, as mandated by our constitution, not to your associations”.
His statement added, “Ghana is not a lawless banana Republic. We have laws and are governed by a constitution. Our President has at all times conducted himself lawfully in the matter you have been contracted to make yo ur business.
President John Dramani Mahama would not violate or offend our constitution
It baffles me how you are strangely unhappy with lawful actions undertaken as dictated by the Constitution of our nation.
Your collaborators have deceived you into damaging your reputation with these baseless demands. Withdraw your unjustified statement, and apologise to Ghanaians.
Be Guided”, the short statement concluded.
Their remarks follow the UK Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers, who have ordered President John Dramani Mahama to immediately and without delay, reinstate the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, in a joint statement, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association demanded the reinstatement of the Chief Justice.
Parts of their statement noted, “Immediately and without delay, reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana to her Office, consistent with both the hitherto strong attachment to the rule of law demonstrated by Ghana and also, the constitutional duties incumbent upon them”.
They stated that the rules of practice must “include the time frame within which the investigating committee must conclude the disciplinary process against the Chief Justice, without any further delay and communicate that decision of that process to all concerned in upholding the rule of law in Ghana.”
According to the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the investigating committee permitting petitioners to use witnesses instead of attending themselves to answer questions on their petitions does not follow the rules and norms of due process.
They argued that the decision by the investigating committee to “deny the Chief Justice’s legal representative the respect required when attending the hearings of the investigating committee is contrary to the Latimer House Principles, which underline the duty to ensure fair and just process.”
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has replied to the UK Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers.
Dr Dominic Ayine, in a statement, emphasised that the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s suspension will remain until the inquiry committee completes and submits its report to President Mahama.
See the post below:
"IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT DELAY" is a tad tautological but must be expected from "whom that must be obeyed". The letter should have been returned as "irreceivable" for its unacceptably disrespectful tone.
— Cadman Atta Mills (@CadmanAttaMills) August 17, 2025