Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, has disclosed that she has received threats and veiled warnings suggesting she will suffer harm if she refuses to resign or retire voluntarily amidst ongoing proceedings for her removal from office.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the embattled Chief Justice insisted that stepping down is not an option, despite growing pressure from close associates, members of the public, and political commentators. "The final and fourth reason for this statement is that I have heard on several occasions… that since it appears the current proceedings are carefully staged to result in my removal… it would be best if I simply retired or resigned," she said. "I have also received threats and veiled threats suggesting that if I do not resign or voluntarily retire, I will be made to suffer some harm or other consequences." Justice Torkornoo emphasised that her decision to remain in office is guided by principle, not defiance.
Citing her 38 years in law and 21 years on the bench, she stated that her commitment to upholding the rule of law prevents her from abandoning her post in the face of what she called an "ill-motivated process." "There is a decided case by the Supreme Court which makes it clear that resigning or retiring while Article 146 proceedings are ongoing is not an option legally available to a judge or public official," she explained. "Resigning at this point would amount to running away from the allegations and allowing a troubling precedent to go unchallenged." Her statement follows a prima facie determination on three separate petitions seeking her removal from office, leading President to suspend her and appoint a five-member committee to investigate her conduct.
The Supreme Court has since dismissed her application for an interlocutory injunction against the committee and struck out a supplementary affidavit she filed, citing the breach of confidentiality under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
