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Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, the nominee for a Supreme Court justice, has issued a warning against letting one’s personal religious convictions color court rulings, especially when same-sex rights and other delicate issues are at stake.
Justice Adjei emphasized the value of judicial impartiality during his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025. He pointed out that judges are obligated by their constitutional oath to interpret and apply the law equitably to everyone.
“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.”
Justice Adjei said that his faith would not influence his legal reasoning or decisions when asked if he could fairly rule on LGBTQ+ issues given his active involvement in the Catholic Church.
He clarified that he has handled many intricate and rights-based issues, including those involving sexual orientation, in his current position as a judge at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, always completely abiding by 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.”
Allowing religion to influence court rulings, Justice Adjei said, might undermine public trust in the legal system and breed sectarianism in the judiciary.
Each religious group may seek a representative to represent them on the bench if faith were to govern decisions. He said, “That shouldn’t be the case.”
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
