Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem Sai, has urged the public to remain measured in their responses to the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, emphasizing that the establishment of a prima facie case does not equate to guilt.
Dr Srem Sai noted that while a case has been deemed worthy of further investigation, the allegations themselves have not been proven.
“At this stage, we’re not even certain the allegations are true,” he said. “A prima facie case simply means the complaint isn’t frivolous. It does not mean the Chief Justice is guilty.”
He stressed that the situation is a legal and constitutional matter and cautioned against politicizing the process.
His comments come amid rising political commentary following the Chief Justice’s suspension. Members of the minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) held a press conference on Tuesday, denouncing the suspension as politically motivated and calling for her immediate reinstatement. They argued that the move threatens judicial independence and sets a troubling precedent.
Dr Srem Sai also criticized comments made by former Deputy Attorney-General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, who labeled the Council of State’s advice to suspend the Chief Justice as “poisonous.”
He questioned the fairness of such a strong characterization, especially since the petition and its contents remain unseen by both parties.
“If we haven’t seen the petition—and I haven’t, nor has he—then it’s unfair to speak so harshly of members of the Council of State,” he said. “We know who sits on the Council. To say they’ve ‘poisoned’ the process by merely acknowledging that there’s a case to answer is, frankly, unfortunate.”
He called for patience and a commitment to due process.
“I wouldn’t rush to politicize or condemn anyone’s actions at this point,” Dr Srem Sai added. “Let’s ensure the correct procedures are followed and be vigilant about the next steps.”
He assured that his office would continue to oversee the process to ensure it aligns with constitutional guidelines.
“If at any point the process veers from what the Constitution demands, we’ll be the first to speak out. But so far, everything appears to be in order,” he concluded.
