Legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has argued that former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo should not be stripped of her retirement benefits despite losing her position.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Kpebu said it would be unfair to deny her of her entitlements since similar issues flagged against her had also occurred under her predecessors.
“So, it’s because we know that her predecessors had been doing the same thing, that’s why I kept saying no, then let her resign. She’s not the first, so she will get her benefits. That’s the main reason I said something could be negotiated,” he explained.
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He recalled that past audit reports had cited inappropriate payments involving previous Chief Justices, with some even being asked to refund monies. For him, losing office was punishment enough.
“For me, losing the office was sufficient punishment. But to lose her benefits, too, was like overkill. Even today, if you ask me, would you support a call for her to be given her benefits? I will still say yes,” he stressed.
Kpebu also rejected claims that the absence of malicious intent absolved the former Chief Justice of wrongdoing, noting that the law could still hold someone accountable for reckless or negligent conduct.
“It’s not all the time that the law requires a guilty mind. Once it’s willful and that can also mean reckless, the law can hold you responsible,” he explained.
He further expressed concern about fairness in the matter, noting that others who engaged in similar conduct had gone unpunished.
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“It really wrenches my heart because we all know this thing has been there for years. Others probably abused it more than her, but they got off. I still think we could do something for her,” he added.
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