I’m not resigning as CJ — Torkornoo

By: Ernest Afram

Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has rejected calls for her resignation, insisting she will not step down.

Justice Torkonoo described the ongoing efforts to remove her as unlawful and politically motivated, defending her role as head of Ghana’s judiciary.

At a press conference held in Accra yesterday, the suspended Chief Justice criticized the ongoing Article 146 proceedings against her, warning that the irregularities and violations surrounding the process threaten not only her personal reputation but also the foundation of Ghana’s judicial independence.

 “The violations of law that have forced me to bring these matters out in the light of day, I have heard on several occasions from loved ones, persons who care, persons who may not know me beyond my public duties, and many who think that since these proceedings seem to be carefully staged to result in my removal as Chief Justice. It would be best if I just retired or resigned rather than subject myself to an ill-motivated process.” She said.

Justice Torkornoo revealed that in addition to these calls, she has received both direct and veiled threats to compel her to voluntarily step down.

According to her, the implication of doing so would set a dangerous precedent for judicial officers in the country.

“I have also received threats and veiled threats to the effect that if I fail to resign or retire voluntarily, I will be made to suffer some harm or the other. I have also heard commentaries in the media about how this process was born out of a stated political agenda to remove me and control the judiciary, and that it is a political effort that can only result in an outcome that was decided long before it started,” Justice Torkonoo asserted.

The suspended Chief Justice noted that she owed it to the judiciary and the public to expose what she termed the “perversion of law, rules, and due process” in the current proceedings.

 “It is my onerous duty and obligation to speak up concerning anything that is extremely wrong with the administration of justice in this country. On my part, I chose to respect His Excellency the President’s warrant of suspension, even though it was clear to me that it was not supported by a prima facie determination as required by the Constitution and decisions of the Supreme Court.” Justice Torkornoo emphasized.

She maintained that while she has chosen to honor the process set in place to hear the petitions against her, she cannot keep silent about the irregularities that, in her view, render the entire process unconstitutional.

“I have chosen to honor the process set in place to hear the petitions, but I do not choose to hide from the nation that the perversion of law, rules, and due process, as we all know them, are driving the proceedings, and this renders the proceedings unconstitutional.”  the suspended chief justice stated while adding: “I choose to trust that such darkness will not totally engulf this nation.”