Private legal practitioner and political analyst, Kwame Jantuah, has called on Ghana’s suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, to fully defend herself in the face of the ongoing controversy surrounding her.
According to Jantuah, the best course of action for the embattled head of the judiciary is to meet the process head-on, especially if she is confident in the strength of her defence.
“If the Chief Justice has solid evidence to defend herself, she should go through with it. She should go through it and face it. Defend yourself. Defend yourself 100% because you know your defence is strong”
Kwame Jantuah, Private Legal Practitioner & Political Analyst
Addressing the ongoing scrutiny and allegations concerning Chief Justice Torkornoo’s conduct, Jantuah emphasised that vindication through proper procedure would ultimately fortify her position rather than weaken it.
He argued that facing the process and coming out cleared of all wrongdoing would prevent any political party from taking undue action against her. “No political party can say we are sacking you. Does that not strengthen the position of the CJ?”
However, Jantuah also acknowledged that even a successful defence would present unique challenges for Justice Torkornoo going forward.
“The challenge, if she goes through that process and she’s vindicated, is how then does she act with her fellow judges who have been appointed to hear this case? That’s where her challenge would be”
Kwame Jantuah, Private Legal Practitioner & Political Analyst
Questioning Evidence
Jantuah raised several concerns regarding the source and authenticity of the recent evidence that has been circulating in the media. In particular, he questioned the identity of individuals seen in a video purported to show judges, including Justice Torkornoo, engaged in a controversial meeting.
“Now let me ask a question. The video that we’ve seen and the individuals that are in there – are those the people we are describing them to be? Is that what it is? Or there are some people who have been used to mimic Kulendi and all the other judges. I don’t know”
Kwame Jantuah, Private Legal Practitioner & Political Analyst
He also raised doubts about how the video was obtained, and whether there was a deliberate political motivation behind its release.
“How did – Kumi – know that these judges were meeting at that restaurant? Who took that video of the judges sitting there? How was that possible? Or is this something they want to create some kind of nuisance around to make it political?”
Kwame Jantuah, Private Legal Practitioner & Political Analyst
“I think we should cut the political cobwebs we have created around this case, this scenario” Jantuah urged. He further added “and when I say we, I mean the political actors – we should not encourage this”
Jantuah strongly lamented the politicisation of the case, encouraging that the matter be treated strictly on its legal merits rather than being clouded by political motivations.
As Ghana navigates the sensitive issue regarding the Chief Justice, the tension between political interest and judicial independence remains at the fore. Jantuah warned that failure to handle the case properly could erode public trust in the justice system.
“Whatever it is, the case is gonna go on, isn’t it? Alright. If that’s the case, and it’s gonna go on, the facts are going to be laid bare and those who are sitting on it, I believe, would do the right thing by the evidence before them”
Kwame Jantuah, Private Legal Practitioner & Political Analyst
He remained confident that the legal process would unfold as required and explained that a complete depoliticisation of the case by the public would pave the way for the fairness and acceptance of its eventual ruling.
In a final note, Jantuah accepted the potential consequences regardless of outcome. “If it so happens that the Chief Justice is found guilty, so be it. If it so happens that the Chief Justice is found innocent, so be it. Life goes on from there.”
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