Gertrude Torkoonu, Chief Judge of Ghana
Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has raised serious alarm over the growing rot within the judiciary, as she exposed how some unscrupulous court staff are lining their pockets through shady dealings in land litigation cases. Torkornoo revealed that these staff members have been manipulating land documents to favour wealthy individuals willing to offer bribes, turning the legal system into a marketplace for the highest bidder.
During her address at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Judicial Service Staff Association in Cape Coast, the Chief Justice expressed her deep frustration over the exploitation of the legal process by those entrusted with upholding justice. She did not hold back in criticizing the actions of certain Judicial Service staff, stressing that this corrupt behaviour is tarnishing the image of the judiciary and undermining public confidence in the courts.
In a stern warning, she demanded that these unethical practices be stopped immediately. Justice Torkornoo urged court workers to reflect on their responsibilities and called for an urgent transformation in how judicial processes are managed. According to her, the damage caused by these acts of bribery and document tampering goes beyond individual cases—it is a direct attack on the integrity of the entire justice system.
But the Chief Justice’s concerns didn’t end there. She also shed light on another worrying trend within the courts: the involvement of some staff in producing fake divorce documents and fraudulent letters of administration. These documents, she explained, are being used to siphon off funds from the accounts of deceased individuals, leaving rightful beneficiaries empty-handed and unable to claim their inheritance.
Addressing the Judicial Service staff, Justice Torkornoo emphasized that these actions are not only illegal but are contributing to unnecessary delays in the delivery of justice. She warned that those involved in these criminal activities would face severe consequences, making it clear that her administration would not tolerate any form of corruption within the courts.
The Chief Justice’s speech served as a rallying cry for reform, calling on staff members to uphold the highest standards of public service. She urged them to be part of the solution in changing the perception of corruption within the judiciary and reminded them that the reputation of the entire legal system depends on their integrity.
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