Legal practitioner and governance advocate Victoria Bright has expressed concern over suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo’s public commentary regarding her ongoing impeachment proceedings. Bright described the Chief Justice's actions as a breach of constitutional procedure and a potential threat to the integrity of Ghana’s judiciary.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile program, Bright emphasized that Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution mandates that impeachment proceedings against a Chief Justice must be conducted in camera—privately—not through the media or public statements.
“I would have preferred that the Chief Justice respected the constitutional process outlined in Article 146, which clearly requires these proceedings to be conducted in private,” Bright stated. “What we are witnessing now is a one-sided narrative. The panel handling the matter includes highly competent individuals capable of evaluating the facts fairly and impartially.”
Her comments followed a press conference by Justice Torkornoo, during which the suspended Chief Justice publicly criticized the petition against her and disclosed certain aspects of the impeachment process—actions that have since sparked public debate.
Bright questioned the appropriateness of such disclosures, stressing that the matter has now moved beyond the Chief Justice's personal purview and lies within the authority of constitutionally designated bodies.
“This process is no longer in her hands,” she said. “It has been placed before the President, who is acting in consultation with the Council of State. This is not about individual interpretation—no matter one’s position. The constitutional process must be respected by all.”
She concluded by urging adherence to legal protocols rather than personal narratives, reiterating that the rule of law and institutional processes must remain paramount.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
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