The names of the three petitioners asking for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the full contents of the petitions and the chief justice’s responses have been leaked on social media.
This is coming a day after Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended from office, following the establishment of a prima facie case, paving the way for a full inquiry.
President John Dramani Mahama has set up a 5-member committee to handle the inquiry.
There is no time frame on when the inquiry should be completed.
Even though the 1992 Constitution indicates that the proceedings should be held in camera, the full contents of the petitions have surfaced on social media.
The three petitions are said to be from a group called The Shining Stars of Ghana with one Kingsley Agyei as Chairman and Convenor.
The other petitioners are Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo and Daniel Ofori.
The Shining Star Petition
Response from Chief Justice Torkornoo to The Shining Star Petition
Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo Petition
CJ Response to Ayamga Yakubu Petition
Daniel Ofori Petition
CJ Responses to Daniel Ofori
Following the determination of a prima facie case in the three petitions asking for the removal from office of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, President John Dramani Mahama has suspended her and set up a five-member committee to inquire into the petitions.
The committee is chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, a Justice on the Supreme Court bench.
Justice Pwamang was appointed to the Supreme Court bench in 2015.
Other members are Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, also a Justice on the Supreme Court bench, who was appointed in 2022.
Others in the five-member committee are Mr Daniel Yaw Domelevo, a former Auditor-General, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and Professor James Sefah Dzisah, an associate Professor at the University of Ghana.
In the interim, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, will be the acting Chief Justice following the suspension of Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, was appointed to the Supreme Court bench in June 2008 and he is the senior most Justice on the Supreme Court.
His role as the acting Chief Justice is in line with Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that the most senior Justice on the Supreme Court will act as Chief Justice if the position of Chief Justice becomes vacant or the substantive Chief Justice is unable to perform his or her functions.
There are three petitions asking that Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo should be removed from office for “stated misbehaviour” in line with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
President John Dramani Mahama upon receiving the petitions, forwarded it to the Council of State for advice in establishing a prima facie case.
Contents of petitions not made public
The contents of the petition have not been made public, as the 1992 constitution stipulates that all proceedings in relation to such petitions should be held in camera.
They have, however, been shared on social media in full with all three separate responses from Chief Justice Torkornoo in breach of the constitutional provision that indicates it should be in camera until the entire proceedings are over.
Removal of Justices of Superior Courts and chairmen of Regional Tribunals
Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution which deals with removal of Justices of the Superior Courts states in clause six (6) that where the petition is for the removal of the Chief Justice, the President shall, acting in consultation with the Council of State, appoint a committee consisting of two Justices of the Supreme Court, one of whom shall be appointed chairman by the President, and three other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor members of Parliament, nor lawyers.
It continues that the committee appointed under clause (6) of this article shall inquire into the petition and recommend to the President whether the Chief Justice ought to be removed from office.
It adds in clause eight (8) that all proceedings under this article shall be held in camera, and the Justice or Chairman against whom the petition is made is entitled to be heard in his defence by himself or by a lawyer or other expert of his choice.
“The President shall, in each case, act in accordance with the recommendations of the committee.
“Where a petition has been referred to a committee under this article, the President may – (a) in the case of the Chief Justice, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, by warrant signed by him, suspend the Chief Justice;
“(b) in the case of any other Justice of a Superior Court or of a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Council, suspend that Justice or that Chairman of a Regional Tribunal.
“(11) The President may, at any time, revoke a suspension under this article,” it adds in clause 11.
Suspension of Justice Torkornoo by President Mahama
Following that, the Presidency in a press statement issued on Tuesday afternoon [April 22, 2025] by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated that in consultation with the Council of State, there has been a determination of a prima facie case in respect of the three petitions against Chief Justice Torkornoo.
“The President has consequently 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.
Attached below is a copy of the press statement from the presidency
President Mahama suspends Chief Justice after setting up committee to probe petitions
President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established in respect of three petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The President has consequently, 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.
1. Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court – Chairman
2. Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court – Member
3. Daniel Yaw Domelevo (Former Auditor-General) – Member
4. Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo (Ghana Armed Forces) – Member
5. Professor James Sefah Dzisah (Associate Professor, University of Ghana) Member
Pursuant to Article 146(10) of the constitution and in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, the President has by a warrant, suspended the Chief Justice with immediate effect pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings.
Source: graphic.com.gh