Suspended Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has described the ongoing process to remove her from office as unlawful and dangerous for Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, June 25, Justice Torkornoo expressed disappointment over how the process is being handled, saying it has been riddled with irregularities and clear violations of the Constitution.
She pointed out that Ghana has never seen a situation where a sitting Chief Justice faces impeachment, and insisted that if such a process is to happen, it should be done properly to set the right example for future generations.
“The removal process that I am involved in as Chief Justice, is historic. In all of Ghana’s 68-year history as an independent republic, there has never been a hearing for the removal of the Chief Justice,” she said.
“One would therefore have hoped that if such a process becomes necessary, it would provide good guidance and precedent for nation building. Unfortunately, every step of the removal process being undertaken against me is being done in a manner that breaks every rule on how justice is delivered in the country,” she added.
Justice Torkornoo believes the entire process is a deliberate scheme to remove her from office, even though, in her view, there is no legal basis for it.
“And this is why I find the need to draw the nation’s attention this afternoon, to the serious violations of the Constitution and law in the process, and the danger it holds for the
development of the nation’s democracy.”,” she stated.
Her concerns come just days after the Supreme Court struck out a supplementary affidavit she filed in support of her attempt to halt the impeachment process.
In the affidavit, Justice Torkornoo described the treatment she has received as degrading and unfair. She also claimed the entire process is politically motivated and aimed at forcing her out unjustly.
However, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court ruled against her, agreeing with an objection from Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem Sai, who argued that her affidavit disclosed confidential details about the removal process — something strictly prohibited under the Constitution.
READ: My travel and per diem followed official policy – Chief Justice Torkornoo
The Constitution requires that such proceedings be held behind closed doors to protect their integrity.
Her lawyer, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, disagreed with the ruling, arguing that the affidavit was only filed in court and wasn’t shared with the public, so it didn’t break any rules.
Still, the Supreme Court held that the affidavit breached the confidentiality of the process and struck it out.
The impeachment proceedings against Justice Torkornoo continue, sparking widespread debate about the fairness of the process and whether it is being influenced by politics.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
