–Issah Olegor
The judicial leadership is under intensified scrutiny as two more petitions calling for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo were submitted to the Office of the President this week, bringing the total number to five.
The development comes in the wake of her recent suspension from office by President John Dramani Mahama.
While the identities of the two latest petitioners remain undisclosed, the cumulative filings underscore what legal observers are calling an unprecedented chapter in Ghana’s constitutional history.
According to sources close to the presidency, the new petitions, like the initial three, cite allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
However, the exact contents remain sealed under the confidentiality clause of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
Background to the Suspension
The Chief Justice’s suspension was formally announced on April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case was established by a preliminary committee convened to assess the original petitions submitted on February 14 and March 17 by three separate individuals.
As stipulated under Article 146(6) of the Constitution, President Mahama acted on the recommendation in consultation with the Council of State.
Before the suspension, Justice Torkornoo was served with the allegations and provided a ten-day window to respond.
Her written defense, submitted on April 7, dismissed the claims as unfounded and lacking legal merit.
In her rebuttal, she underscored the independence of judicial functions, clarified procedural practices in the Supreme Court, and disavowed any personal involvement in administrative irregularities alleged by at least one of the petitioners.
Temporary Leadership and Judicial Implications
Following her suspension, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior judge on the bench, has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice as provided under Article 144(6).
His interim stewardship marks a critical moment for the judiciary, which now faces intense political and public pressure.
A five-member investigative committee has been constituted to probe the substantive allegations and determine whether the Chief Justice should be permanently removed from office.
National Debate and Divided Reactions
The suspension has ignited a sharp national debate, raising concerns over the integrity of Ghana’s judicial system and the political motives that may underpin the petitions.
Critics, particularly from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), argue that the removal efforts are part of a broader strategy to “capture the judiciary.”
Former NPP parliamentary candidate for Adentan, Akosua Manu warned that the suspension could signal the beginning of what she termed a “judicial capture,” cautioning against eroding institutional independence. “If this is allowed to stand, we risk compromising the impartiality of the entire justice system,” she told reporters.
Meanwhile, constitutional law expert Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has advocated for greater transparency.
“The secrecy around the removal process, while legally permitted, undermines public trust. The grounds and outcomes should be disclosed to maintain confidence in the judiciary,” he stated.
Looking Ahead
As Chief Justice Torkornoo awaits the outcome of the inquiry, Ghana’s legal community braces for what could become a defining moment in judicial accountability.
The outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for her tenure but also for the balance of power among the country’s constitutional institutions.
With five petitions now lodged against her and a full inquiry looming, the Chief Justice’s future—and potentially the structure of Ghana’s highest court—hangs in the balance.
