President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
According to the presidency communication signed by the Minister of Government Communication, John Mahama suspended the Chief Justice following a prima facie case being determined against her by the Council of State.
Part of the statement read, “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established in respect of three petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The President has consequently, established a committee in compliance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State with the following composition to inquire into the petitions which have been referred to them”.
The committee is composed as follows:
Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court – Chairman
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court – Member
Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Former Auditor-General – Member
Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, Ghana Armed Forces – Member
Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor, University of Ghana – Member
Meanwhile, the specific allegations contained in the petitions have not been publicly disclosed.
However, former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini had earlier explained that if a prima facia case is established and a committee is set up to probe the basis for her removal, the Chief Justice would have to be suspended during the investigation.
“If they analyze the petition and conclude that it lacks substance, they will advise the President that there is no prima facie case.
“But if a prima facie case is established, a five-member committee—comprising two lawyers and three non-lawyers, chaired by a Justice of the Superior Court—will be set up to investigate the matter. Their findings and recommendations will then be binding on the President. During the investigation, the Chief Justice will be suspended by the President,” he explained.
Some allegations have also been levelled against Chief Justice Torkonoo for giving 6,000 dollars of Ghana’s money to her Husband to shop in Tanzania.
She is also alleged to have used GHS109,428 to buy a business-class world travel ticket for her daughter to go on her private holidays in the US and also 10,000 dollars as per diem.
Chief Justice Torkonoo was sworn in on June 12, 2023, becoming the 15th Chief Justice and the third female to hold the position in Ghana’s history.
Justice Torkornoo is a seasoned legal practitioner and judge with over two decades of experience on the bench.
She was first appointed as a Justice of the High Court in 2004, then elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2012, and finally to the Supreme Court in 2019.
Before her judicial appointments, she worked in private legal practice.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has once again adjourned the case challenging President John Mahama’s initiating process to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
On 16 April, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu the presiding judge explained that one of the panel was unavoidably absent, hence the adjournment and so the case will now be heard on May 6, 2025.
President Mahama sets up Committee to probe petitions against Chief Justice as she is suspended pending outcome of inquiry. pic.twitter.com/g7NYGnckOp
— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) April 22, 2025
