Prez. Mahama suspends CHRAJ Boss

The Commissioner of  the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Lauretta Lamptey has been suspended by President John Mahama.

A statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani said “the President took the decision on the advice of the judicial council, pursuant to article 146(10) (b) of the 1992 constitution.”According to the statement, “the suspension follows the establishment of a prima facie case against Ms. Lamptey by the Chief Justice, and the setting up of a five (5)-member committee to investigate complaints made against her.”

This was after Richard Nyamah and Member of Parliament for Nsawam Adoagyir Anoh Dompreh petitioned the President to initiate processes to remove the CHRAJ boss for spending about $180,000 on rent.

She also spent about GHC182,000 to renovate her official residence.

The suspension, Mr. Bani noted, is to protect the integrity of the enquiry. Ms. Lamptey has been asked to hand over her duties to a Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr. Richard Quayson, not later than Friday January 16, 2015.

CHRAJ Boss saga: Story so far

Tuesday 16th September, 2014: The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Boss, Lauretta Lamptey is accused of spending $180,000 on rent.

Tuesday 16th September, 2014: CHRAJ Boss discloses that she was willing to live in her uncompleted official residence to save the Commission from spending a whopping sum on a rented apartment.

Wednesday 17th September, 2014: A group called Progressive Nationalist Forum, advise CHRAJ Boss, to resign from her position to redeem her image.

Monday 22nd September, 2014: It is revealed that the Auditor-General queried CHRAJ in 2012.

Tuesday 23^rd September, 2014 : Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nsawam / Adoagyiri constituency begins processes to officially impeach the CHRAJ Boss.

Wednesday 24th September , 2014: The Alliance For Accountable Governance (AFAG) serves notice of a demonstration against CHRAJ Boss.

Thursday 25th September , 2014: The Minority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, backs calls for the immediate resignation of the CHRAJ Boss.

Friday 26th September, 2014: The Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, debunks assertions that the CHRAJ Boss has tarnished the image of the Commission.

Wednesday 1st October , 2014: Government confirms receipt of about $480,000 from Japan to help it audit the CHRAJ Boss’ bungalow and other stated owned bungalows across the country.

Saturday 11th October , 2014: President Mahama directes the Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Woode to investigate the CHRAJ Boss.

Wednesday 12th November , 2014: A private legal practitioner, Yaw Oppong clarifies that the seeming delays by the Chief Justice (CJ) to take action on a petition to remove the CHRAJ Boss  is not deliberate.

Wednesday 3rd December , 2014: A prima facie case is established against the CHRAJ Boss.

Thursday 4th December , 2014: CHRAJ Boss expresses disappointment in the decision taken by the Chief Justice to establish a prima facie case against her.

Friday 19th December , 2014 : The Chief Accounts Officer at CHRAJ, Kenneth Agbezuhlor dismisses reports that the commission has settled the hotel bills of Lauretta Lamptey.

Thursday 8th January , 2015: The Office of the Chief Justice sets up a five-member committee to investigate complaints of misconduct filed against the CHRAJ Boss.

Tuesday 9th December , 2015: President John Mahama appeals to Ghanaians to desist from labeling the CHRAJ Boss as a corrupt institution.

–By: Marian Efe Ansah