NEWS

Mahama Suspends CJ Torkornoo Amid Scandal Uproar

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo Suspended by President Mahama Following Petitions of Misconduct

Following the formation of a prima facie case based on three distinct petitions calling for Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo’s resignation from office, President John Dramani Mahama made the audacious and unusual decision to suspend the Chief Justice of Ghana. Following a constitutional review process, the President took decisive action in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution after consulting with the Council of State. The statement was made on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. This highlights leadership accountability inside the court and is a significant development in Ghana’s judicial and constitutional structure.

Even though the petitions’ specifics have not been made public, their existence has already sparked heated discussions in Ghana’s political and legal communities, bringing up important issues regarding the openness and morality of the nation’s legal system. Copies of the petitions were delivered to Chief Justice Torkornoo, who had ten days to reply. On April 7, she did so by sending in a written comment. The President decided that the claims had enough merit to support a formal investigation after carefully examining her response and consulting with others.

A five-member committee has now been constituted under Article 146(6) to carry out the probe. The committee includes:

Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Supreme Court Justice – Chairman

Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Supreme Court Justice – Member

Daniel Yaw Domelevo, former Auditor-General – Member

Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, Ghana Armed Forces – Member

Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor at the University of Ghana – Member

Following constitutional guidelines in Article 146(10), President Mahama, with the advice of the Council of State, issued a formal warrant for the immediate suspension of the Chief Justice as the committee commences its investigations.

This ongoing inquiry is expected to define a crucial moment in Ghana’s judicial history and could lead to significant reforms depending on the outcome of the proceedings.

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