Accra: Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has announced her intention to vigorously challenge the legal proceedings initiated to remove her from office. She claims that the process has exposed her to an unprecedented model of injustice, which she feels compelled to confront using every legal and leadership tool at her disposal.
According to Ghana News Agency, Chief Justice Torkornoo, currently on suspension, addressed a press conference in Accra, emphasizing her commitment to the administration of justice in the country. She asserted that resigning or retiring amidst Article 146 proceedings-a constitutional process for removing judges-was not a viable option for any judge or public official. She highlighted the potential loss of entitlements if one were to resign or retire without defending against the claims, which could be politically motivated.
Chief Justice Torkornoo expressed her resolve not to succumb to unwarranted charges, stating that resigning under such circumstances would imply acceptance of a flawed and opaque process. She sought a public hearing to ensure transparency in the proceedings but noted that her request was denied, raising concerns about the secrecy of the process.
Further, Chief Justice Torkornoo revealed that she had received threats warning of potential harm if she did not resign or retire voluntarily. She criticized the committee's refusal to recognize her counsel, its lack of specificity in the allegations, and its decision not to allow certain petitioners to testify, which would have permitted her to cross-examine them.
She argued that the proceedings violated Article 146, as the legal rules for conducting hearings and trials were not being followed. Justice Torkornoo contended that the allegations against her were either false or based on misconceptions about the operations within the Judicial Service.
Addressing specific allegations, she clarified that she had returned most of the funds provided for travel expenses and questioned the validity of exhibits related to her arrest. She also noted that one of the petitioning groups, Shinning Stars, was not registered according to her findings.
Chief Justice Torkornoo announced her plan to pursue judicial review in the High Court, aiming to void the committee's proceedings due to procedural violations. She expressed confidence that the evidence would ultimately disprove the allegations made against her, underscoring the importance of transparency and adherence to legal standards in the justice system.
