Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has filed a new affidavit at the Supreme Court of Ghana as part of her ongoing legal battle against a special committee set up to investigate her. In this supplementary affidavit, she makes several serious allegations, claiming that the process she is going through is unfair and violates her fundamental rights. She filled this application on Monday, 26th May, 2025.
According to the Chief Justice, the treatment she has received from the committee has been inhumane and degrading. She believes her dignity has been disrespected and that the actions of the committee go against the protection guaranteed her under the Constitution of Ghana.
One of her key concerns is the venue chosen for the hearing. She says the hearings are taking place in a high-security zone, the Osu Castle, rather than the Judicial Service’s Court Complex, where such proceedings have been held in the past. She believes this choice is unusual and adds unnecessary pressure on her.
Justice Torkornoo also complains that the committee has not given her the legal reasons or the criteria used to form a prima facie case against her. She argues that without this information, it is difficult for her to know her rights and prepare a strong defence.
She further alleges that the committee scheduled hearing dates without informing her or her legal team, even though her lawyer was not available on that day. She also opposes the committee’s decision to allow petitioners to use witnesses to present evidence instead of appearing in person.
The Chief Justice says she has suffered mental stress due to how the committee has treated her. She mentions being denied access to her mobile phones, being subjected to body searches, and not being allowed to have her husband and children in the hearing room. Meanwhile, she claims that the petitioners’ lawyers and clients were allowed to keep their phones and were treated better.
She believes all these actions, along with the use of the Osu Castle as the hearing venue, are deliberate moves to put psychological pressure on her.
