I Won’t Resign, I Will Fight This Injustice – Chief Justice Torkonoo Warns

Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has firmly declared her refusal to step down from office despite facing impeachment proceedings under Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, she denounced the ongoing investigation as unjust and accused the committee overseeing the process of bias.

Justice Torkornoo, a legal professional with 38 years of experience and a judge of 21 years, asserted that resigning would imply an admission of guilt, a stance contrary to the principles she has upheld throughout her career.

“Let me be clear: I am not clinging to power for the sake of a title,” she stated. “But as a lifelong advocate for the rule of law, I have a duty to speak out against injustices in our judicial system.”

She described her impeachment ordeal as exposing a “model of injustice” she never believed possible in Ghana’s legal framework. Despite personal distress, she vowed to challenge the proceedings through all available legal and leadership avenues.

Legal Grounds for Defiance

Citing constitutional provisions and a Supreme Court precedent (J6/02/2019), the Chief Justice argued that resignation during an Article 146 inquiry is not only improper but also legally prohibited. She warned that abandoning the process could lead to severe repercussions, including a default judgment and loss of benefits.

“No public official, let alone a judge, is permitted to resign while facing removal proceedings,” she emphasized. “Walking away would mean forfeiting all entitlements and allowing false allegations to stand unchallenged.”

Allegations of Political Pressure

Justice Torkornoo hinted at possible political motivations behind the push for her resignation, suggesting that some actors may want to frame her departure as an implicit admission of wrongdoing.

“There may be deliberate efforts to frustrate me into resigning so that my silence can be misconstrued as guilt,” she said. “But as Chief Justice, I cannot abandon my post when unfounded accusations threaten the integrity of our judiciary.”

She stressed that stepping down would legitimize what she called a “flawed and opaque” process, something she refuses to endorse.

Background on Suspension

The Chief Justice has been suspended since April 22, 2025, after President John Dramani Mahama, in consultation with the Council of State, determined a prima facie case against her under Article 146(10) of the Constitution.

Justice Torkornoo’s defiance sets the stage for a high-stakes legal and political battle, with implications for judicial independence and due process in Ghana. Her resolve to fight the impeachment underscores her commitment to defending her legacy and the principles of justice she has long championed.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com