The government has dismissed claims that the selection of Adu Lounge as the venue for suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s disciplinary hearing carries historical or political symbolism.
He labelled any such interpretations by the Justice as disingenuous and undesirable.
Government spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, clarified that the facility was chosen solely for its suitability, not as a deliberate nod to its past associations.
During her earlier press conference, the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo drew personal connections to the events of 1981, recounting that one of the murdered judicial officers, Major Sam Acquah, was her uncle and legal guardian at the time.
She questioned, “Was Adu Lodge chosen for this inquiry to make me feel insecure? I think so. And I continue to hold the view that there is no reason to hold a quasi-judicial hearing behind the high walls of Adu Lodge
However, Kwakye Ofosu rejected this outright, explaining that “the attempt to link the dastardly killings of some Supreme Court judges and a military officer, to this case are most disingenuous.”
The spokesperson stressed that the venue’s high-security features and proximity to key judicial offices made it a pragmatic choice, especially given the sensitive nature of the proceedings.
He noted that alternative venues were evaluated, but Adu Lounge’s infrastructure, including privacy provisions for in camera hearings mandated under Article 146 of Ghana’s Constitution, was decisive.
