He made the remark on Monday, June 16, 2025, during his vetting by the Appointment Committee of Parliament.

Responding to a question about how he would handle matters related to LGBTQ+ rights in court, given his active role in the Catholic Church, Justice Adjei said judges are bound by their oath to remain impartial.

“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.”

He said his current role as a judge at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights involves handling sensitive cases, including those related to sexual orientation, and added that he always applies the law without religious influence.

“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 said. “Anything else would be a failure to discharge my duty as a judge.”

Justice Adjei cautioned that allowing religious beliefs to shape court decisions could undermine the legal system.

“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 said.