Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo hit with two more removal petitions

The office of the President has received two new petitions inquiring for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office, heightening an already high-stacks judicial controversy.

These recent petitions whose authors remain unknown makes the total number of the removal petitions against the Chief Justice to five. The initial three were presented by separate individuals on February 14 and March 17, 2025.

Although the subject matter of all five petitions remains a secret in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, sources close to the matter say they cite allegations of misconduct and abuse of power.

This escalation follows the formal suspension of the Chief Justice on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama, after a prima facie case was established by a committee set up to analyze the initial three petitions.

The President’s action, interpreted in consultation with the Council of State and in line with Article 146(6) of the Constitution, has sparked widespread public debate about judicial independence and the possible politicization of constitutional procedures.

Mandatorily by law, the Chief Justice was served with the original petitions and given a 10-day window to reply. Chief Justice Torkornoo submitted her response on April 7, after which a finding was made that the allegations guaranteed a full investigation.

With effectiveness of her suspension, the most senior member of the Supreme Court, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has been designated to act as Chief Justice in the interim, as provided under Article 144(6) of the constitution.

Public reactions to the suspension and the increasing number of petitions have been fleet 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. Others argue that the constitutional process is being properly followed and must be allowed to run its full course.

At the moment, Chief Justice Torkornoo remains suspended awaiting the result of a full research by a five-member investigative committee, which is expected to be constituted to hear the matter.

The country’s political, legal communities and the general public are awaiting the next stage of this unprecedented procedure that could remold the Ghana’s judicial landscape.