SUSPENDED CHIEF Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has expressed concerns regarding the conditions under which the committee investigating her conduct is operating.
She contends that the relocation of the hearings from the Court Complex to Osu Castle has adversely affected her mental well-being and infringed upon her fundamental rights.
In a formal petition, Justice Torkornoo argued that the change in venue was a deliberate attempt to cause her psychological distress, thereby violating her rights to dignity and fair treatment.
She emphasized that the new location lacks the necessary facilities and environment conducive to a fair and impartial hearing.
The Chief Justice’s suspension on April 22, 2025, followed the submission of three separate petitions alleging misconduct. President John Dramani Mahama, after consulting with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case had been established, leading to the formation of a five-member committee to investigate the allegations.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, includes Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana.
Justice Torkornoo has filed an interlocutory injunction at the Supreme Court, seeking to halt the committee’s proceedings at the Osu Castle. She argues that the current setting compromises the transparency and fairness of the hearing process.
While the specific details of the allegations against her remain undisclosed, the situation has sparked significant debate within legal and political circles. Some view the proceedings as a necessary step toward accountability, while others perceive them as politically motivated actions aimed at undermining judicial independence.
The outcome of the committee’s investigation will have profound implications for Ghana’s judiciary and the broader discourse on the balance between judicial accountability and independence.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
