Respect the process, not personal interpretations – Victoria Bright slams CJ Torkornoo’s public comments
Legal practitioner and governance advocate Victoria Bright has expressed disappointment in suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo for publicly addressing her ongoing impeachment proceedings, describing her actions as a breach of constitutional procedure and a threat to judicial integrity.
Speaking during a panel discussion on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Victoria Bright emphasised that such proceedings, as outlined in Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, are required to be held in camera—not in the public domain.
“I would have wished that she respected the constitutional procedures emanating from Article 146, which require these proceedings to be held in camera,” Bright said.
“We are only hearing her side at the moment, and the panel comprises eminent individuals capable of evaluating the facts impartially.”
Her comments come in the wake of a controversial press conference by Justice Torkornoo, where the suspended Chief Justice publicly criticised the petition against her and detailed parts of the process.
Victoria Bright questioned the appropriateness of such a move, noting that the matter is no longer within Justice Torkornoo’s control and is now in the hands of constitutionally mandated authorities.
“Has this whole thing not been put in the bosom of the president of the republic, acting in conjunction with the council of state?” she asked.
“Why is one person – I know she’s the Chief Justice, she’s a justice of the Supreme Court – but it’s not subject to one person’s interpretation.
“We have to respect that this has been put into the bosom of someone else, not her. So you can’t just get up and make your own rules.”
