In an extraordinary and historic development, Her Ladyship Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has issued a statement to the nation amid an unprecedented and opaque removal process against her office.
Breaking her silence, and the convention of judges staying away from media statements, the Chief Justice raised serious concerns about the fairness and constitutionality of the proceedings, citing violations of due process, lack of transparency, and threats to judicial independence. "I am confident that in my journey as a lawyer, judge and now Chief Justice, there is no one person who can look at me in the eye and accuse me of taking a bribe to decide a case," Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo stated. "This is the personal treasure of integrity that I live with.""I have never sought the limelight, but today, I feel compelled to speak - not to defend myself alone, but to defend the values of fairness, truth, and justice, and the positions of all judges, and commissioners of independent constitutional bodies set up to protect the freedom and justice of Ghanaians.
All of these will be at risk, if the precedent set by this unjust removal process is allowed to stand." Key Concerns Raised: • Unprecedented Process: Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo is the first in Ghana's history to face removal via a process that she describes as "breaking every known rule of justice delivery." • Closed-Door Proceedings: Despite her request for public hearings in the interest of transparency, the proceedings are being held in secret. • No Formal Charges Disclosed: She has not been given copies of the petitions or informed of the specific allegations she is expected to answer at the inquiry, by the Committee hearing the petitions.• Right to Legal Representation Denied: Her lawyer was initially refused participation in Committee proceedings for reasons never before applied in Ghana's legal system. • Dubious Petitions and Allegations: Petitions include claims from individuals previously removed from court for misconduct and even a purported group, "Shinning Stars," that does not exist. • Lawful Conduct Misrepresented: Travel and disciplinary decisions that followed existing policies are now falsely being presented as misconduct. • Conflict of Interest: A judge linked to two of the petitioners is also presiding over the proceedings.A Stand for Ghana's Democracy Chief Justice Sackey Torkornoo emphasized that this issue extends beyond her personal case.
It concerns every judge, public servant, and independent constitutional body in Ghana. "If I resign under these circumstances, I will be saying that this flawed, confusing, unfair and opaque process is acceptable.
