The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mrs. Efua Ghartey, has issued a passionate call for Ghanaians to uphold the independence of the Judiciary and resist politicizing ongoing proceedings concerning the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Speaking at the 43rd Anniversary Remembrance Service held at the Accra Ridge Church today, Mrs. Ghartey paid solemn tribute to three High Court judges—Justices Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong, and Fred Poku Sarkodee—and a retired military officer, Major Sam Acquah—who were abducted and murdered on June 30, 1982.
“We remember these martyrs of the rule of law not just as victims of one of our darkest national moments, but as symbols of courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to justice,” she said.
Recounting her personal experience as a schoolgirl at the time of the tragedy, Mrs. Ghartey recalled the chilling moment when a friend whispered that her mother—one of the judges—had gone missing.
“It was June 1982. We were attending vacation classes. That day, the usual joy and chatter among students gave way to whispers and tension. We later learned the shocking news that three judges and a military officer had been abducted. The entire nation stood still,” she recalled.
She described how the charred remains of the victims were later found soaked in petrol and set on fire. It was only divine intervention—a sudden downpour—that extinguished the flames.
“When the bodies were discovered, they had already begun to decompose,” she said.
Mrs. Ghartey praised the late Mr. Justice Samuel Azu Crabbe, who chaired the Special Investigation Board, and Chief Superintendent Jacob Yeboah, whose investigative work led to the arrest, trial, and execution of Joachim Amartey Kwei, Michael Senyah, and two former soldiers.
Turning to present-day events, she warned against interference in judicial matters and emphasized that the suspension of the Chief Justice should be handled with due regard for constitutional safeguards and judicial independence.
“In the matter involving Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, we must remember this is not about personal politics,” she stated.
“It is a test of our national maturity—our respect for due process, fairness, and the sacred independence of the Judiciary.”
She cited the landmark case Republic v. Director of Prisons & Another; Ex parte Shackleford [1981] GLR 554, noting that the court had warned against using transitions of power or past injustices to settle old scores.
“Let us not slide into endless cycles of revenge. We must rise from the ashes like the phoenix and build a better, more just society,” she urged.
Quoting the Bible in Micah 6:8, Mrs. Ghartey reminded the nation: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
She concluded with a call to action: “The GBA reiterates its call to insulate the Judiciary from any form of interference. Let us do our part to honour the memory of the judges who paid the ultimate price for the rule of law. May justice prevail. May peace reign. And may we never forget.”
Mrs. Ghartey underscored that defending judicial independence is not a favor to judges but a cornerstone of democracy.
“An independent judiciary must remain a beacon of justice for all, and we, as a people, must protect it with vigilance and resolve,” she added.