Suspended Chief Justice Esaaba Torkornoo has accused the committee hearing the petitions for her removal of failing to adhere to her fundamental rights, including her right to a fair hearing.
Madam Torkornoo, addressing the press on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, said she has been subjected to searches, which are clear violations of the courtesies that are supposed to be extended to her considering the office she holds.
She noted the process is being held at a cordoned, high-security zone when it should have been held at the Judicial Service.
The choice of venue, she claimed, is to intimidate and make her feel insecure.
She also claimed that she has been refused the opportunity to attend the hearing with any member of her family.
According to her, she has also not been given copies of the petitions, nor have they been admitted into evidence for cross-examination by her legal team.
She stated that the entire process of her removal is skewed due to the secrecy surrounding it, which has no legal basis.
The Supreme Court judge claimed she had received threats of harm if she refused to resign.
She also told the journalists that, while some have suggested she retire or resign, she does not have that option because her removal is still pending.
According to her, retiring or resigning would subject her to two cruel scenarios: losing everything he had worked for, or facing criminal charges against her.
“Furthermore, resigning or retiring while article 146 proceedings are being conducted to remove a Judge is not an option any Judge or public official is even allowed to have. There is a decided case on the subject by the Supreme Court. The suit number is J6/02/2019.”
“Again, no one has the authority to walk away from proceedings started by the State. Judgment can be entered against you because you failed to defend yourself. And a Judge who resigns or retires would still lose all entitlements because they failed to defend the claims and resigned or retired while the proceedings were going on.”
“Therefore, if false claims are made against a Judge or any Commissioner or other public office holder subject to article 146 proceedings, just to achieve a political agenda, the solution cannot be to resign or voluntarily retire out of frustration, pressure or fear. One would only find themselves being subjected to two cruelties — a judgment based on false claims, and loss of everything that one has worked for.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
