CJ nominee hints of sanctions for “errant behaviour” in judicial administration

Chief Justice nominee, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has given the strongest indication that her o ce would not countenance any form of corruption or inducement from any third party or ‘judicial predators’ who pose to take money to go and give judges, as there would be sanctions for errant behaviour.

According to her constitutionally, a judge is supposed to be a person of good moral character and proven integrity and so there should not be any whisper.

For her, every aspect of judicial training they address the question of ethics, “we robustly work on it, we talk about and have orientation on it. Corruption is an activity that occurs from everybody’s eyes and that is why perhaps the predators have a eld day because [who is to know what is going on].

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, May 26, 2023, for her vetting, Justice Torkornoo said

“To my mind, ensuring an active consideration by the citizenry that you ought not to be giving any money to anybody because justice is your constitutional right, may be one of the most potent forms of addressing the matter.

Beyond that there would be sanctions available to address any errant behaviour for me, if it is about always ensuring whatever activities we are undertaking in judicial administration are regulated by law -you cannot tamper with anybody’s right outside propriety and legality.”

She indicated her commitment to any e ort to address the perception that there is corruption in Ghana’s judiciary system and advised Ghanaians to abstain from giving money to people to take to judges, as there was no guarantee that the money would be actually sent to them.

“I would really love to tell Ghanaians that for every ten people who tell, you, ‘give me money for a judge,’ you can be sure that nine likely is going into that person’s pocket, and not to a judge. So please don’t give money to people to take to judges, because it’s their own market,” Mrs Torkornoo advised.

Courts to be opened

During her vetting, she also indicated that management of the Judicial Service was in talks with the striking workers to call o their strike action.

She told parliament on Friday that she has been part of the team engaging the striking workers from the Judicial Service Sta Association of Ghana (JUSAG) and there was nothing to be worried about.

Justice Torkornoo said courts will soon be opened to the public.

Indeed, although the workers were on strike, the courts were opened on the instructions of management.

President Akufo-Addo nominated Justice Gertrude Araba Essaba Torkornoo, a Supreme Court Judge, as the new Chief Justice last month and has urged the legislature to expedite her approval.

Her appointment came after President Akufo Addo had consulted the Council of State and her nomination is in ful lment of Article 144 (I) of the Constitution which governs the appointment of a Chief.

Article 144 (1) of the Constitution requires the President to consult the Council of State before seeking the approval of Parliament of the new Chief Justice.

Justice Torkornoo replaces Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah who is due for retirement on May 24, this year.

Sixty-year-old Justice Torkornoo, has been on the Supreme Court for the past four years and a member of the Judiciary for the past 19 years.