Chief Justice accuses investigative panel of subjecting her to inhumane treatment and emotional distress
Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has accused the five-member committee established by the President to investigate three petitions against her of subjecting her to degrading, inhumane treatment and mental torture.
In a new court filing dated Monday, May 26, lawyers for the Chief Justice outline a series of developments following her earlier lawsuit at the Supreme Court, which challenges both her suspension and the ongoing removal process. The suit also includes an application for an injunction to halt the committee’s proceedings pending the Court’s decision on the substantive matter.
Justice Torkornoo, in the filing, alleges that her fundamental constitutional rights—including the right to a fair trial and to dignity—have been repeatedly violated. She describes the treatment she has received as harsher than what would be expected even in trials for treason or other severe crimes against the state.
She recounts that her lawyer, Kwabena Adu-Kusi, informed her of the committee’s adjournment to May 22—just one day after she had initiated legal proceedings at the Supreme Court. On May 22, she appeared before the committee with her legal team and informed them of the pending suits against the Attorney-General and committee members. In response, the committee requested copies of the court documents and adjourned the session to Friday, May 23.
Despite receiving these documents, including the interlocutory injunction application, the committee signaled its intent to continue the inquiry. According to the Chief Justice, she still has not been informed of the basis on which a prima facie case was established, nor has she been given specific allegations to which she must respond—hindering her ability to understand her legal position or mount an effective defense.
She also highlights a prior incident from May 15, when the committee refused to recognize her lawyer in her absence, proceeded to schedule future hearings, and made arrangements without involving her legal counsel—despite his presence.
Further, she alleges a procedural breach: the committee informed her on May 23 that the petitioners would not be testifying themselves but would instead call other witnesses. She argues this is contrary to established rules governing committees of inquiry, where petitioners—once appearing—should be treated as witnesses subject to cross-examination under oath by the person affected by the proceedings.
The Chief Justice also raises concerns over other incidents she describes as oppressive, including: denial of access for her husband and children into the hearing room, invasive personal searches, and restrictions on her and her lawyers from using phones or laptops—despite lawyers for the petitioners being permitted such access.
She further questions the decision to conduct the hearings at the Castle, Osu—a high-security zone—rather than the standard judicial venue, such as the Courts Complex, where all prior Article 146 proceedings have taken place. She claims the venue reflects a deliberate attempt to inflict psychological pressure and degrade her dignity.
Justice Torkornoo concludes that these ongoing violations of her rights demonstrate that the proceedings are not only unjust but amount to a calculated effort to remove her from office under false pretenses.
She is therefore urging the Supreme Court to issue an injunction to protect the integrity of judicial independence and safeguard the constitutional security of tenure for the Chief Justice and other Superior Court Justices.
