Accra, Ghana – April 2025 – President John Dramani Mahama don order say make Ghana Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo step aside temporarily as e set up one special independent committee to investigate serious petitions wey accuse her of misconduct, bias and abuse of office.
Dis bold move by di President don scatter plenty talk across Ghana, as e be di first time in recent years wey a sitting Chief Justice go face suspension under constitutional process.
Wetin Trigger Di Suspension?
Wahala start after some civil society organisations, lawyers and concerned citizens send multiple petitions to President Mahama office, accuse Justice Torkornoo of:
- Interfering with politically sensitive court cases
- Using her office to favour some private interest groups
- Alleged financial dealings wey dem say no dey clean
- Delay of justice and neglect of some judicial responsibilities
One of di petitioners from legal advocacy group say:
“We no dey witch-hunt anybody, but Ghana deserve clean justice system. We get proof say somethings no dey right.”
Even though Justice Torkornoo strongly deny all di allegations, President Mahama say di matter too heavy to ignore.
President Mahama React: “Di Law Must Work”
As e suspend di Chief Justice, Mahama invoke Article 146 of di 1992 Constitution wey allow di President to act on petitions against top judges — but only after Council of State approve say di matter need deeper investigation.
After Council of State give green light, Mahama set up one five-member investigative committee wey go look into di petitions proper-proper.
“Dis suspension no be punishment. Na to allow fair and independent probe. Nobody dey above di Constitution,” President Mahama talk inside one national address.
Acting Chief Justice Appointed: Enter Justice Baffoe Bonnie
As Chief Justice Torkornoo dey suspended, Justice Baffoe Bonnie, one of di senior most and widely respected judges for Supreme Court, don step in as Acting Chief Justice.
Justice Baffoe Bonnie go now oversee:
- Daily running of di judiciary
- Court case assignments
- Representation of judiciary in official matters
Legal insiders say dem trust say he go steady di ship while Ghana dey watch how dis historic process unfold.
How Di Investigation Go Happen?
Di five-member committee include:
- Retired judge as chairperson
- Two senior lawyers nominated by Ghana Bar Association
- One person from Council of State
- One nominee from Justice Torkornoo (before her suspension)
Di committee get full power to summon witnesses, check documents, and hold hearings behind closed doors if necessary.
Dem get 60 days to complete work and submit final report to President Mahama.
If di committee clear Justice Torkornoo, she go return to office. But if dem find her guilty, then President Mahama fit begin formal process for removal.
Reactions from Public, Legal Circles, and Politicians
Di announcement don divide opinion for Ghana.
Ghana Bar Association (GBA) say:
“We dey support fair probe. Our profession no go defend wrong, but we also go protect di innocent.”
Civil Society Groups like IMANI, CDD and OccupyGhana praise di President’s action, say dis one be proof say democracy dey work.
But some opposition figures for New Patriotic Party (NPP) accuse President Mahama of playing politics with judiciary, especially as e just return to power barely a year ago.
“This one fit be attempt to remove people wey no dey dance to di government tune,” one NPP MP talk under anonymity.
Wetin Justice Torkornoo Herself Talk?
Justice Torkornoo release short statement through her legal team:
“I be woman of integrity. I welcome di process and I believe say di truth go clear my name.”
She urge Ghanaians to allow due process play out and no rush judge matter wey still dey under investigation.
Ghana Dey Watch: A Test for Rule of Law
Dis case don become national spotlight, as many Ghanaians dey see am as big test for Ghana democracy and how far law fit stretch, even reach di top.
For social media and radio stations, di talk no dey end:
- @NaaJusticeGH: “Make di process fair and open. If she wrong, she go face am. If she innocent, clear her name sharp.”
- @KojoLegalMind: “Dis be delicate matter. Justice must not only be done but seen to be done.”
Wetin Go Happen Next?
As di committee dey begin work, all eyes go dey on how transparent and efficient di process go be.
Meanwhile, Justice Baffoe Bonnie go hold di judiciary together as Acting CJ.
President Mahama say:
“We dey build Ghana based on strong institutions, not strong men or women. Let di law take its course.”
📰 Make you follow we here for full updates as dis case unfold. We go bring you di report when di committee submit findings. Ghana dey watch.
🗣️ What you think? You believe say dis suspension dey fair? You feel say politics dey inside? Drop your comment.