Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion – Martin Amidu speaks on CJ’s bid to halt impeachment probe

Former Attorney-General Martin Amidu has spoken out about Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. He warns that her efforts to stop the impeachment process could harm public trust in the judiciary.

In an open letter, Amidu argues that the Chief Justice and her team face a tough legal challenge. He cites binding Supreme Court decisions that reject attempts to halt impeachment once it starts. He references landmark cases like Ghana Bar Association v Attorney-General and Dery v Attorney-General. These cases clarify Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

Amidu quotes the Court's ruling in the Dery case: “The annulment of the petition is not a remedy available to a respondent.” He adds, “From the moment the President accepts the petition, impeachment has commenced.” He stresses that no other methods can interrupt this process.

He also warns against ignoring allegations of misconduct against public officials, including judges. Such actions threaten the integrity of the judiciary if left unexamined.

Amidu criticizes media leaks related to sensitive documents about the petition. He calls this a violation of constitutional provisions. Leaking unauthenticated content under "freedom of speech" undermines both public confidence and due process.

“Many unscrupulous Ghanaians have leaked unauthenticated contents of petitions,” he lamented.

Regarding recent legal actions, Amidu notes that the Chief Justice and former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame have filed a motion at the Supreme Court. They seek an injunction to stop an investigative committee set up by the President.

He points out that while their application was filed, they did not submit their Statement of Plaintiff’s Case by May 21, 2025. This makes it hard to assess their position.

“Every vigilant citizen knows that two Supreme Court decisions on May 21 ruled against injuncting the committee,” he reminded readers.

Amidu acknowledges that filing their statement could change things but warns everyone to watch how the Supreme Court handles this situation closely.

In closing, Amidu appeals for loyalty to constitutional values over individuals or political ties. He emphasizes that “the Judiciary is our hope for freedom and justice.”

He concludes with a reminder: “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion! This is essential for protecting justice under our laws.”