The suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has said that she received veiled threats that if she does not resign voluntarily, she will be made to suffer harm.
She said she will not resign but will continue to demonstrate that the process seeking her removal is flawed.
“I have received veiled threats that if I don’t resign, voluntarily, I’ll be made to suffer harm. If I resign, this flawed, opaque process will be deemed to be acceptable, it is not,” she said at a press conference on Wednesday, June 25.
She further stated that that every step of the process for her removal breaks the rule on how justice is delivered.
She pointed out that a copy of the petition seeking her removal has not been given to her by the committee, except the one she recited from the president.
“Unfortunately, every step of the removal process against me is being done in a manner that breaks every rule on how justice is delivered,” she said.
She added, “Witnesses do not know the allegations in the petition and so are unable to answer questions about the petition.”
“The proceedings are being treated like a litigation between the petitioners and me,” she further stated.
President John Dramani Mahama in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case had been established in respect of three petitions against Madam Torkornoo.
A statement issued on Tuesday, April 22 said, “Pursuant to Article 146(10) of the constitution and in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, the President has by a warrant suspended the Chief Justice with immediate effect pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings.”
The statement, which was signed by the Minister in Charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu added that, “The President has consequently, established a committee in compliance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State with the following composition to inquire into the petitions which have been referred to them.
- Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court – Chairman
2. Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court – Member
3. Daniel Yaw Domelevo (Former Auditor-General) – Member
4. Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo (Ghana Armed Forces) – Member
5. Professor James Sefah Dzisah (Associate Professor, University of Ghana) – Member.”
President John Dramani Mahama forwarded three petitions calling for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to the Council of State for advice, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
