President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo following the determination of a prima facie case by the Council of State in the three petitions seeking her removal.
In a statement by the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the President has issued a warrant for her suspension in accordance with Article 146 (10) of the 1992 Constitution and the advice of the Council of State.
The President has further constituted a five-member committee, in accordance with Article 146 (6) of the Constitution, to inquire into the petitions.
The members of the committee include:
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)
The Chief Justice’s suspension is the latest development following the submission of three petitions to the President, which were subsequently forwarded to the Council of State on March 25, 2025, for the determination of a prima facie case.
This was followed by a request from Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo to President John Dramani Mahama on March 27, 2025, seeking copies of the petitions calling for her removal.
In her letter, she cited the case of Agyei-Twum v Attorney-General and Akwettey [2005-2006] SCGLR 732, which affords her the right to respond before the Council of State establishes a prima facie case based on the petitions and her response.
Former President Nana Akufo-Addo had dismissed similar petitions against the Chief Justice a day before leaving office, concluding that the petition filed by Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare lacked merit and did not disclose a prima facie case warranting further investigation.