Personal faith must not influence same-sex cases – Sir Dennis Adjei

Supreme Court judge nominee, Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, has cautioned against allowing personal religious beliefs to influence judicial decisions, particularly in cases involving same-sex rights and other sensitive matters.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Adjei stressed the importance of judicial impartiality, noting that judges are bound by their constitutional oath to interpret and apply the law fairly to all.

“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.”

Responding to a question about his ability to rule fairly on LGBTQ+ matters, considering his active role in the Catholic Church, Justice Adjei stated 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.