The Member of Parliament for Yendi, Abdul-Fatawu Alhassan, has accused suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo of breaching the 1992 Constitution in her public response to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her.
Justice Torkornoo, currently under suspension, recently alleged violations in the procedures surrounding petitions seeking her removal. During a public address on Wednesday, June 25, she claimed she had been subjected to invasive security searches and was denied the right to be accompanied by family during hearings—treatment she described as inappropriate for a sitting Chief Justice.
However, speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Friday, June 27, MP Alhassan criticised her for engaging the media, arguing that such actions go against Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which stipulates that impeachment proceedings against judges must be conducted in camera (privately).
“Now what she is doing is actually in breach of the Constitution,” Alhassan asserted. “The relevant provisions, particularly Article 146 and its sub-clauses, are clear that the process must be confidential.”
He acknowledged that the Chief Justice may feel there have been procedural irregularities but insisted that the proper course of action would be to seek redress through the courts.
“If you think there are violations and that these could hurt your case, go to the High Court and challenge the process,” he urged. “The court has the power to issue orders like certiorari to quash actions taken so far.”
Alhassan further questioned the motive behind Justice Torkornoo’s decision to go public, warning that it could undermine the integrity of the constitutional process and set a troubling precedent.
“What help are you seeking from the media?” he asked.
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