By Attorney George Blankson
In the realm of justice, impartiality stands as the cornerstone upon which fair and equitable judgments are rendered. It is widely understood that emotions and personal biases have no place in the legal arena. The law is clear: judgments must be made based on statutes and legal precedents, not on personal feelings or subjective interpretations.
The Role of Statutory Law
Statutory law provides a framework within which judges must operate. It offers clear guidelines and ensures that justice is administered uniformly. Judges are expected to interpret and apply these statutes diligently, without allowing personal inclinations to interfere with their rulings.
A Question of Competence
Recently, concerns have been raised about Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo’s adherence to these principles. Critics argue that her recent judgments reflect either a bias or a lack of legal competence. They assert that her decisions appear to be influenced by personal feelings, rather than the statutes and legal precedents that should guide judicial rulings.
The Case Against Bias
Accusations of bias are serious. They undermine public confidence in the judicial system and erode the foundation of trust upon which it is built. When a judge is perceived to be biased, it raises doubts about the fairness of their decisions and the integrity of the legal process.
Legal Competence Under Scrutiny
Equally troubling are questions regarding legal competence. A judge’s ability to interpret and apply the law correctly is fundamental to their role. If a judge consistently fails to cite relevant statutes or demonstrates a misunderstanding of legal principles, their competence must be called into question.
A Case in Point
A recent example highlighting these concerns is the ruling on the dismissal of four parliamentarians by the Speaker of Parliament, Honorable Gbabin. The statute in question was clear, citing specific articles that should have guided the decision. However, Justice Torkornoo’s ruling did not specify which statute provided the remedy she was endorsing, further fueling the debate over her legal competency and impartiality.
Missed Opportunity for Guidance
The best course of action the Supreme Court could have taken was to provide guidance to Parliament regarding the statutes used to bar the said parliamentarians. The failure to do so is particularly troubling, given that the statutes are so crystal clear that any attempt to reinterpret them would have been akin to shooting themselves in the foot.
A Call for Accountability
In light of these concerns, it is imperative that the legal community and the public demand accountability. Judges must be held to the highest standards of impartiality and competence. If a judge is found to be biased or legally incompetent, appropriate measures must be taken to address these issues and restore confidence in the judicial system.
The Path Forward
The case of Justice Torkornoo serves as a reminder of the critical importance of judicial integrity. As guardians of the law, judges must remain vigilant in upholding the principles of fairness and impartiality. Only by doing so can they ensure that justice is served and the rule of law is preserved.
In conclusion, the law must remain a bastion of objectivity, free from the influence of personal feelings. It is only through strict adherence to statutory guidelines and legal precedents that true justice can be achieved. The concerns surrounding Justice Torkornoo highlight the need for continuous scrutiny and vigilance to maintain the integrity of our judicial system.
By Attorney George Blankson
