A former Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Ocquaye has disapprove of an in-camera hearing of the petitions against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo who has now been suspended.
Her suspension follows the establishment of a prima facie case against her by President Mahama in consultation with the Council of State following the submission of petitions for her removal from office.
Prof. Ocquaye maintained that in hearing the petitions against the Chief Justice, respect for human right must be observed by ensuring transparency which he believes a ‘secret trial’ will not provide.
He avers that if he is subjected to such an in-camera hearing, he would not appear before the Committee and would not enter any plea rather he would prefer an open trial for the public to know of the issues and resign per the evidence against him.
“If it is going to be secret trial, I won’t appear and I wouldn’t plea. You can do whatever you want to do because I would like the world to hear and I will bow out according to what is being heard. I wouldn’t want to single out any particular event but as a matter of general principle,” he said in an interview with JoyNews, Thursday, May 8, 2025.
According to him an in-camera hearing in a country where public matters are often shrouded in controversy wouldn’t provide the transparency required for the case.
“Putting a person in a room and coming out thereafter to say what occurred there when in this country, we have so much controversy over matters that even all of us are seeing and hearing. You would be surprised at some of the interpretations.
“I am telling you no Ghanaian would like to go through that kind of process,” he stressed.
The revered statesman underscored the need for a fair and open trial in hearing the petitions against the Chief Justice.
“It is a human right issue and that’s why I say the human right of that person who is the victim and accuse in this case must seriously be examined. Give that fair and open trial and then we can all see,” he added.
The decision, in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and taken in consultation with the Council of State, was announced on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, marking a significant moment in Ghana’s judicial history, as the head of the Judiciary faces an inquiry into her conduct.
Although the specific allegations contained in the petitions have not been publicly disclosed, they have stirred widespread debate within the legal and political circles, raising questions about judicial accountability and integrity of the judiciary’s leadership.
In accordance with constitutional procedures, Chief Justice Torkornoo was furnished with copies of the petitions and given 10 days to respond, which she submitted on April 7, 2025.
Following a review of the response and further consultations, the President determined that a prima facie case had been established. Consequently, a five-member committee was constituted under Article 146(6) to investigate the matter.
The committee is composed as follows:
Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court – Chairman
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court – Member
Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Former Auditor-General – Member
Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, Ghana Armed Forces – Member
Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor, University of Ghana – Member
