There is more trouble on the way of the suspended Chief Justice (CJ) Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo, after a prima facie case was established against her from three petitions submitted to President John Mahama, seeking her removal.
The CJ, who has been home for about a month now as she faces a 5-member panel to answer for allegations contained in the petitions, has been caught in another deal involving her and her family members.
Even before dust settles on the earlier matter being looked into by the Justice Gabriel Pwamang-led committee, which commenced sitting on Thursday May 15, the lid has been lifted on her, revealing the questionable contract she secretly grabbed for her family, hoping not to be caught.
This adds to the many crony, nepotistic and family and friends and cooked deals practiced by appointees of the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government.
This is besides allegations against the Chief Justice, of traveling with her husband and daughter on separate private trips abroad instead of her security details.
In that expose contained in 2023 Auditor General Report, the Judicial Service footed the air ticket and per diem of Francis Kofi Torkornoo, to Tanzania, and another by her daughter, Sarah Edem Torkonoo, paying for her upgraded air ticket plus per diem.
In the latest expose’, Justice Torkornoo, is accused of using her position as the foremost judge of the land, to secure a juicy contract for her privileged daughters from the Service, through a restricted tender amounting to GHc 456, 456.00.
For a CJ who is supposed to know the law and set good example for those below her to follow, she actively watched as the law was skewed for her children in a clear case of conflict of interest.
Per the documents, the money was paid to the private firm on November 29, 2024, one week to the general election that saw the CJ favourite president’s party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lose miserably to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Endorsed by the Procurement Department of the Service, it recommended for the award of the contract through a letter September 17, 2024.
Addressed to the Judiciary Secretary Cyra Pamela Addo Koranteng, Austin Evans Kanyoke, Chief Registrar, Procurement said “Your Ladyship, we refer to the Public Procurement Authority approval for the use of Restricted Tendering Method for the redesigning of the Judicial Libraries and creation of Judges Lounge. The Procurement Department has completed the process, Messrs Design Three: Seven Limited has been recommended by the Panel for consideration for contract award in a sum of GHc456, 456.00 including taxes”.
Some have questioned why a restricted tender ensuring no other company had the chance to also bid to bring competition to the process, expressing concern about the opaque and corrupt of the process.
The contract, awarded to Seyram Frances Afi Torkornoo and Edem Sarah Amiga Torkornoo, using an alleged shady company, Design Three Seven, was for the redesigning of the Judicial Service libraries, and create judges’ lounge.
The two, who are marketer and designer respectively are both directors of Design Three Seven, incorporated on April 15, 2019, the same year their mother was promoted by the then President Akufo-Addo to the Court Appeal before subsequently nominating her for the position of CJ on April 26, 2023.
A copy of the letter written to the Judicial Service, signed on behalf of the company by Seyram Torkornoo, accepting an invitation to bid for the contract read “We forward herewith our bid for the above tender for your consideration.
Having examined the Tender documents, the receipt of which is hereby duly acknowledged, we, the undersigned, offer to redesigning of Judicial Service Libraries and creation of Judges Lounge in conformity with the said Tender documents for the sum of …..”
The Managing Director (MD) added “Grand total for redesigning of Judicial Service libraries and creation of judges’ lounge, including 2 years warranty, GHc456, 456. 00. We undertake, if our bid is accepted, to deliver the goods and services in accordance with the delivery schedule specified in the scheduled of requirements”.
The company’s principal activity, according to the document, is into interior design and further design. The contract spanned a period of four weeks.
A letter from the Judicial Service dated September 17, 2024, addressed to the MD announced the award of the contract and the duration.
It said “This is to notify you that your quotation dated 5th September 2024 for the redesigning of Judicial Service libraries and creations of the judges’ lounge has been accepted. Consequently, you are requested to carry out the redesigning works based on the attached priced bill of quantities and scope of works.
The total contract price is four hundred and fifty-six thousand, four hundred and fifty-six Ghana cedis (GHc456, 456. 00) including taxes. You are to proceed with the necessary action for the execution of contract within four (4) weeks in accordance with the specifications agreed upon. Payment will be made after satisfactory completion and certification of work done.”
Per the agreement in the contract, the company was expected to execute the job with assistance from the manager, Law Court Complex and the Director, Estates.
The letter was issued under the signature of the former Judicial Secretary, Justice Cyra Pamela C. A. Koranteng (JA), who in the earlier audit report was embroiled in that illegality and was instructed by auditors to see to the retrieval of the funds running into several thousands of Ghana Cedis.
She copied Justice Torkornoo on the successful award of the contract to her daughters.
Interestingly, Pamela Addo Kotanteng resigned last month after the case of the petitions against the CJ popped up, citing an excuse that she wants to focus all her attention on serving as justice of the court. By October, Design Three Seven Limited put in a request for payment for the work they did.
“I hope this letter finds you well, I am humbly writing on behalf of Design Three Seven to formally request for the payment of GHc456, 456. 00 for the redesign of Judicial Services Library, Law Court Complex Libraries & the Judges Lounge, which has been approved.
The project has been planned to meet all required guidelines and budget. We are confident that with the timely disbursement of funds, we will be able to complete the outlined objectives”, secretary cum administrator Kataale Abdulai said.
A memo dated November 5, 2024 from the director, Procurement Department at the Judicial Service, Barnabas Frans, requested for funds to be paid to the private company belonging to the CJ’s daughters.
“Your ladyship, reference is made to the award of content letter number PD/WKS/35/24 dated 17th September 2024 for the redesigning of the Judicial Service Libraries and Creation of the Judges Lounge.
Following the issuance of the award of contract to Messers Design Three Seven Limited, the company has requested per the attached letter that, they will require early disbursement to proceed with the works.