Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, who has been nominated to the Supreme Court, has warned against letting one’s personal religious convictions affect court rulings, especially when it comes to same-sex rights and other delicate issues.
On Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Adjei made an appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee. She emphasized the significance of judicial impartiality, pointing out that judges are obligated by their constitutional oath to interpret and apply the law to everyone equally.
“When we talk about our faiths—whether Christian, Muslim, or any other—it is a personal matter,” he said. “But when you are in the courtroom, you have taken an oath to be impartial, regardless of who appears before you. Once I put on my judicial cap, I must act according to that oath.”
When asked if his active involvement in the Catholic Church would limit his ability to render fair decisions on LGBTQ+ issues, Justice Adjei responded that his religious beliefs would not influence his legal reasoning or decisions.
As a judge at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, he added, he has handled many complicated and rights-based matters, including those involving sexual orientation, while always scrupulously following the law.
“If any matter comes before me, whether it concerns same-sex issues or something else, I will consider the facts and apply the law. My faith will not influence the outcome,” he affirmed. “Anything else would be a failure to discharge my duty as a judge.”
Justice Adjei cautioned that letting religion influence court rulings could undermine public trust in the legal system and breed sectarianism in the judiciary.
“If faith were to guide judgments, then each religious group might want someone on the bench to speak for their interest. That should not be the case,” he stated.
KA
Source: ghanaweb.com