I’M Sad for Ghana-Suspended CJ Slams her Impeachment Process
Suspended Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has broken her silence over her ongoing removal proceedings, describing the process as “flawed, unlawful, and politically motivated.”
In a strongly worded public statement, Justice Torkornoo decried what she described as blatant breaches of Ghana’s Constitution, legal procedures, and judicial norms in the handling of her suspension and the subsequent inquiry by an Article 146 committee set up by the President.
“I have been subjected to violations that I never imagined possible within Ghana’s justice delivery system,” she said.
The Chief Justice revealed that she took legal action at the Supreme Court seeking an open hearing, arguing that the secrecy surrounding the proceedings only fuels suspicion. “I applied for the proceedings to be held publicly to ensure transparency and to protect my rights. However, the court struck out my application and supplementary affidavit, at the request of the Attorney General,” she stated.
Justice Torkornoo detailed several infractions she said have tainted the process, including:
Denial of her right to be represented by counsel when not personally present.
The committee’s failure to spell out which allegations a prima facie case had been established for.
Refusal to allow cross-examination of key petitioners, including Mr. Daniel Ofori and a group known as “Shining Stars”.
An invasive personal search and the prohibition of any family member accompanying her into the hearing room.
The relocation of the proceedings from judicial premises to a high-security facility—Adu Lodge—on Castle Drive, Osu, which she claims was “deliberately chosen to intimidate”.
The Chief Justice also raised concerns about the lack of due process. She accused the committee of failing to serve her with official copies of the petitions and responses, and of allowing petitioners to avoid testifying under oath while still issuing subpoenas to state agencies.
“This is a hearing that is supposed to be an inquiry under Article 146(7), not a civil litigation. Yet, the committee has rejected the use of C.I. 65, which governs inquiries, and instead adopted the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, C.I. 47, without any legal justification,” she added.
Justice Torkornoo warned that such irregularities threaten not only her position but the independence of the entire Judiciary. “If this model of removal can be used against a Chief Justice, then no judge or independent public officer is safe,” she said.
She also addressed claims that she should resign to avoid further controversy. “I do not seek to cling to office. But resigning in the face of false allegations would legitimize an unconstitutional process and set a dangerous precedent. It is not an option,” she said.
Justice Torkornoo emphasized that she has submitted documented responses to all allegations, including claims of abuse of travel benefits and interference in administrative decisions. She dismissed these accusations as “ignorant, misleading, and unsupported by law or evidence.”
Citing a Supreme Court precedent (Suit No. J6/02/2019), she noted that public officials cannot resign while Article 146 proceedings are ongoing, as such action could result in forfeiture of entitlements and acceptance of false claims by default.
She concluded her statement with a stark warning to Ghanaians: “What is happening is not just about me—it is about the integrity of our constitutional order. If this process succeeds unchallenged, it will endanger the independence of the Judiciary and every democratic institution governed under Article 146.”
Quoting German Pastor Martin Niemöller, she added, “First they came for the socialists… then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me,” urging the nation to resist what she termed “a descent into judicial intimidation and unconstitutional governance.”
Justice Torkornoo’s statement has sparked renewed debate over judicial independence and political interference in Ghana’s governance systems.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
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