Suspended CJ, Gertrude Torkornoo
The suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, has stated that resigning from office is not an option.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, she explained that resigning would mean she is running from the allegations levelled against her in the three separate petitions seeking her removal from office.
“Resigning is not an option. The final and fourth reason for this statement is that 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 it is clear that the current 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. I have also received threats and veiled threats to the effect that if I fail to resign or voluntarily retire, I will be made to suffer some harm or the other.
“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”, she noted.
Her statement comes in the wake of a prima facie determination on three petitions filed for her removal, following which President John Dramani Mahama suspended her and appointed a five-member committee to investigate her conduct.
The Supreme Court has since unanimously dismissed her application for an interlocutory injunction against the committee.
It also struck out a supplementary affidavit she filed, citing disclosure of confidential information in violation of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the removal process for superior court justices.
JKB/MA
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