A Communications Team Member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Lawyer Twum Barimah, has described the recent press conference by embattled Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo as laughable and misleading.
Speaking on Burning Issues on Adom FM, Mr. Barimah, who also serves as Deputy Director of the Narcotics Control Commission, challenged Justice Torkornoo’s claim that she never received the petition calling for her removal from office.
According to him, the suspended Chief Justice was indeed served with the petition and even requested seven days to respond—yet former President John Dramani Mahama graciously granted her ten days instead.
“If she claims she never saw the petition, then what exactly was she responding to?” Lawyer Barimah questioned. “Let’s not joke with the intelligence of Ghanaians.”
Touching on the screening process Justice Torkornoo reportedly underwent before appearing before the committee, he dismissed her complaints as unnecessary. He argued that everyone, including lawyers and the general public, undergoes security checks when entering the Supreme Court.
“So what’s wrong if she’s scanned before meeting the committee? Even the courts have security scanners. Her complaints don’t make sense,” he stated.
Mr. Barimah also compared Torkornoo’s situation to that of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, who faced a similar probe during her tenure. According to him, Madam Osei did not resist the process or make public complaints because she understood the law and respected due process.
He expressed shock at Justice Torkornoo’s conduct, stating, “It is surprising that someone of her caliber—a lawyer and a judge—wants to disregard the constitution when the same process was applied to others.”
Responding to the Chief Justice’s concern that the committee did not allow a witness, Ernest, to testify on her behalf, Barimah reminded her that she was part of the panel of judges during the 2021 election petition that denied EC Chairperson Jean Mensa the opportunity to testify.
“She can’t now complain about procedures she once endorsed. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” he stressed.
Finally, Lawyer Twum Barimah slammed her request for the proceedings to be televised, saying it contradicts constitutional provisions that such hearings be held in camera.
“She’s calling for a live telecast, but the constitution is clear—such matters must be heard privately. She knows this,” he concluded.
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