Suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has clarified that she did not refuse to account for US$14,000 in imprest allocated to her for an official trip, as alleged in one of the petitions currently under consideration in her ongoing removal proceedings.
Addressing the media in a detailed statement, Justice Torkornoo stated:
“Mr Ofori’s petition includes a lie that I refused to retire accountable imprest of US$14,000 that I was given when I travelled. But records are available to show that I spent US$4,400 out of the $14,000 accountable imprest that the finance directorate gave me to travel with. I handed over the remaining US$9,600 to the Judicial Secretary, with records on how the US$4,400 was spent, two days after I returned to Ghana.”
She said the records were part of a larger body of documentation she submitted to the President in response to the petitions filed against her.
The imprest allegation forms part of a broader petition submitted by Mr. Daniel Ofori, who has accused the Chief Justice of several acts of misconduct, including financial impropriety. Justice Torkornoo, however, maintains that all claims in the petition are unfounded, and that proper administrative procedures were followed in each case.
Despite submitting the necessary records, she expressed concern that she is being tried without access to the official documents forming the basis of the inquiry.
“I am being tried without the issue of a prima facie determination,” she noted.
The Chief Justice emphasized that the Article 146 Committee handling her case has refused to provide her with copies of the petitions or the prima facie determination purportedly made by the President. She added that she has not been given the opportunity to cross-examine some of the petitioners, further raising questions about the fairness of the process.
READ: Women’s Rights Coalitions Express Concern Over Suspension of Chief Justice
Justice Torkornoo is currently facing proceedings initiated under Article 146 of the Constitution, which governs the removal of justices of the Superior Courts and heads of certain constitutional bodies. She insists the process being applied in her case is irregular and breaches the rules of natural justice and due process.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Mensah
