The proceedings are carefully staged – Suspended CJ cries

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 amount to running away from the allegations leveled 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, well-meaning individuals, persons who care, those who may not know me beyond my public duties, and many others, that since it appears the current proceedings are carefully staged to result in my removal as Chief Justice, it would be best if I simply retired or resigned, rather than subject myself to an ill-motivated process. I have also received threats and veiled threats suggesting that if I do not resign or voluntarily retire, I will be made to suffer some harm or other consequences.

“Furthermore, resigning or retiring while Article 146 proceedings are ongoing to remove a judge is not even an option legally available to any judge or public official. The Supreme Court has issued a decision on this matter,” 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 the disclosure of confidential information in violation of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the removal process for superior court justices.