You should just give up – IMANI Africa tells Suspended Chief Justice

President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has urged suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo to step back from her legal battle to reclaim her position. His advice follows the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss her request to stop the ongoing investigation into her conduct.

Chief Justice Torkornoo had filed a supplementary affidavit on May 26, where she sharply criticised the presidential committee looking into the petitions for her removal. In her filing, she described the inquiry as a violation of her rights and accused the committee of treating her unfairly. She spoke about being treated inhumanely, suffering personal embarrassment, and being denied the same fair treatment given to the petitioners.

She claimed that she went through embarrassing body checks, was not allowed to use basic legal tools like her phone and laptop, and was even kept away from her family members during the process. Meanwhile, according to her, the legal team of the petitioners were allowed full access and support.

However, on Wednesday, May 28, the Supreme Court ruled against her application. This ruling means that the committee’s work investigating the matter will go on without interruption.

During an interview on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, May 31, Franklin Cudjoe reacted to the Supreme Court’s ruling and suggested that it marks the end of the line for Justice Torkornoo.

“At this juncture, my honest view is that she should just give up, because the way things are going, there’s no way…” he stated. “She will be remembered in history as someone who fought. Maybe that is what she wants.”

Cudjoe also took issue with the Chief Justice’s complaint about the committee not allowing her husband and daughter into the hearing room. He said that showed how weak her position had become.

“It’s a bit sad for her to say her husband and daughter should be allowed in. She should have negotiated with the committee. If these basic things are being denied, you should know that you are persona non grata already. You have overstayed your welcome,” he remarked.

He acknowledged that although the process may appear to be tough, it is still within the boundaries of the constitution.

“As brutal as the process may be, it is the law. The law is the law.”