Two renowned lawyers affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Tsatsu Tsikata, and Thadeus Sory and Lawyer and activist, Oliver Barker-Vormawor are representing the petitioners in the suspended Chief Justice Torkonoo probe.
The probe commenced on Thursday, 15 May 2025, 24 days after the Chief Justice was suspended from office pending the investigations.
According to reports, at the Committee’s first in-camera sitting, Tsatsu Tsikata and Thadeus Sory proclaimed themselves as lawyers for Shining Stars of Ghana, one of the three petitioners.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor appeared for Daniel Ofori, also a petitioner with Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo, a lawyer and petitioner, representing himself.
During the probe hearing, suspended Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo requested that the entire committee hearing be made public.
She asserted that by making the entire process public Ghanaians could see firsthand everything that would transpire at the ongoing probe.
Gertrude Torkornoo aligned her request by noting that, so far, all the processes leading the investigation have been made public, so it would only be fair for the whole country to be part of the process.
However, her request was turned down by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang-led committee, who established that since Article 146 of the 1992 constitution demands that the committee sitting be held in camera, they are apt to abide by the dictates of the constitution.
Meanwhile, President Mahama suspended the Chief Justice following a prima facie case being determined against her by the Council of State.
The President 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 composed is 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
Additionally, the Supreme Court had dismissed an application seeking to halt the process for the removal of Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo and revoke her suspension from office.
The apex court In a narrow 3-2 majority decision dismissed the Old Tafo member of parliament Ekow Assafuah’s application seeking to halt the process initiated by President Mahama for the removal of the Chief Justice.
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.
