Chief Justice Torkornoo Faces Two New Removal Petitions Amidst Growing Controversy

 received two additional petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office, intensifying the already contentious legal and political situation.

These newly submitted petitions, from undisclosed authors, bring the total number of removal petitions against the Chief Justice to five. The initial three petitions were filed by separate individuals on February 14 and March 17, 2025.

Although the specifics of all five petitions remain confidential, in adherence to Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, sources familiar with the matter indicate that they contain allegations of misconduct and abuse of power.

This development follows President John Dramani Mahama’s formal suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after a committee established to review the initial three petitions determined that a prima facie case existed.

The President’s decision, made in consultation with the Council of State and in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution, has sparked widespread national debate regarding judicial independence and the potential for political manipulation of constitutional processes.

As mandated by law, Chief Justice Torkornoo was provided with the original petitions and given ten days to respond. She submitted her response on April 7, after which it was concluded that the allegations warranted a full investigation.

With the suspension now in effect, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior member of the Supreme Court, has been appointed to serve as acting Chief Justice, as stipulated by Article 144(6).

Public reactions to the suspension and the mounting number of petitions have been swift and polarized. Critics, including opposition lawmakers and legal experts, have accused the government of pursuing a political agenda aimed at restructuring the judiciary to serve partisan interests. Conversely, others argue that the constitutional process is being followed correctly and must be allowed to proceed without interference.

Former NPP parliamentary candidate Akosua Manu has expressed concern that the suspension could mark the beginning of a “judicial capture,” while legal analysts like Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) have advocated for greater transparency.

He has called for the grounds and outcomes of such removal proceedings to be made public in order to maintain public trust in the judiciary.

Currently, Chief Justice Torkornoo remains suspended pending the outcome of a comprehensive inquiry by a five-member investigative committee, which is expected to be formed to address the matter.

Ghana’s legal and political communities, as well as the wider public, are now awaiting the next phase of this unprecedented process, which has the potential to significantly reshape the nation’s judicial landscape.