The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has issued a formal response to objections raised by suspended Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, over the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her.

In a detailed legal opinion, the Attorney-General (AG) defended the constitutional process being undertaken, dismissing several of the concerns raised by the Chief Justice and her legal team.

According to the AG, the decision to conduct the proceedings in-camera is not discretionary but a constitutional imperative.

He emphasised that such closed-door hearings are designed to protect not only the integrity of the Chief Justice but the sanctity of the entire judiciary.

“This safeguard cannot be waived,” the A-G noted, highlighting its importance in maintaining public confidence in the judicial process.

On the issue of the composition of the investigative committee, the A-G rejected calls for the recusal of two Supreme Court justices—Justice Samuel Adibu Asiedu and Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang—who are part of the panel probing the petition.

He clarified that Justice Adibu Asiedu did not take part in any previous injunction hearing related to the case and, therefore, there is no legal justification for excluding him from the proceedings.

As for Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, the A-G argued that his previous handling of legal matters involving one of the petitioners does not meet the threshold of bias required for disqualification.

“Mere participation in unrelated matters cannot be construed as evidence of prejudice,” he asserted.

Responding to claims that committee members had not taken their oath of office, the Attorney-General refuted the allegation, stating that all members have duly taken the required oaths in accordance with the law.

The A-G concluded his response by stating that the Chief Justice's application for an injunction lacks legal merit and fails to establish sufficient grounds to halt the proceedings.