Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has raised serious concerns about the venue selected for her Article 146 removal hearings, suggesting that the location was deliberately chosen to intimidate her.
In a national address on Wednesday, Justice Torkornoo questioned why Adu Lodge, located within a restricted high-security zone on Castle Drive in Osu, was selected for the proceedings. According to her, this particular facility carries painful historical significance in Ghana’s judicial history.
“I need to disclose at this point that the Adu Lodge facility that I am being tried in featured very prominently in the planning of the murder of judges on June 30, 1981,” she disclosed.
Justice Torkornoo, visibly emotional, shared that she has a personal connection to that tragic incident. One of the judges killed, Major Sam Acquah, was not only her uncle but also her legal guardian. “I was also living with him at the time he was abducted and murdered,” she revealed.
The Chief Justice believes the selection of Adu Lodge was far from a coincidence. She argued that the choice of such a venue, coupled with the secrecy surrounding the proceedings, was a clear attempt to intimidate her and block public participation. “The choice of venue, against the background of the secrecy of proceedings, was intended to intimidate me and to prevent any citizen of Ghana from knowing how the proceedings are being conducted,” she said.
Justice Torkornoo’s comments have added fresh momentum to public discussions around the fairness and legality of the committee handling her removal. She has consistently accused the process of violating natural justice and breaching constitutional procedures.
She also warned of the broader danger to judicial independence if such removal tactics are allowed to stand. “If this model of removal can be tried on the Chief Justice, it can be repeated with everyone. I am not countering these processes for myself, but on account of the leadership burden I carry,” she declared.
Adu Lodge remains a site of dark memory in Ghana, known for its connection to the planning of the infamous 1981 abduction and killing of three High Court judges and a retired military officer under the early rule of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
Justice Torkornoo’s revelation has sparked further concern among legal experts and civil society groups who have been calling for transparency and fairness in the ongoing proceedings.
