Legal practitioner Kwame Jantuah has expressed disappointment in suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo over her recent public address, describing her actions as inappropriate and an attempt to court public sympathy.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Friday, June 27, Jantuah argued that while Justice Torkornoo had the right to speak, her decision to engage the public on an ongoing constitutional process was ill-advised and has ultimately cast doubts on her integrity.
“It is her fundamental human right to talk, but why do you want the court of public opinion to come in especially when there is a caselaw. I tell you that it isn’t something you should entertain. It’s [talking] her right but how does that help your case? You want the public to be part and parcel of the process and know the truth, what can they do on the day in that dock? Is the public there?” Jantuah questioned.
He added that if Justice Torkornoo truly cared about preserving the integrity of the office she occupies, she should have resigned after her public statement.
“I was looking at the situation where she’ll narrate all her evidence and, in the end, indicate that based on the evidence, my integrity being questioned. But for the sake of the office that I hold, I resign. Now is her integrity not being questioned? That’s a key,” he added.
Justice Torkornoo, who is facing impeachment proceedings under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, held a press conference on Wednesday, June 25, where she described the process as unconstitutional, irregular, and politically motivated.
She also raised concerns over the choice of Adu Lodge, a state facility along Castle Drive in Osu, as the venue for the proceedings.
The Chief Justice described the location as symbolically troubling, citing its historical association with the 1981 abduction and murder of three High Court judges and a military officer — one of whom was her uncle and former guardian.
Justice Torkornoo further alleged being threatened to resign, however insisted that resigning from office would wrongly imply an admission of guilt and embolden political actors seeking to manipulate the situation.
