Supreme Court judge nominee, Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, has warned against allowing personal religious beliefs to influence judicial decisions, especially in cases involving same-sex rights and other sensitive issues. During his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Adjei emphasized the importance of judicial impartiality. He noted that judges are bound by their constitutional oath to interpret and apply the law fairly for everyone.
“When we talk about our faith—whether Christian, Muslim, or any other—it is a personal matter,” he explained. “However, when you are in the courtroom, you have taken an oath to be impartial, regardless of who is before you. Once I don my judicial robe, I must act according to that oath.”
In response to a question about his ability to rule fairly on LGBTQ+ matters, given his active involvement in the Catholic Church, Justice Adjei asserted that his faith would not affect his legal reasoning or judgments. He explained that in his current role as a judge at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, he has handled numerous complex and rights-based cases, including those concerning sexual orientation, always adhering strictly to legal principles.
“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 warned that allowing religion to guide court decisions could erode confidence in the justice system and lead to sectarianism within 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.
By: Leticia Osei