Key Points
- President Mahama suspends Chief Justice Torkornoo following petitions.
- A five-member committee will inquire into the allegations.
- Torkornoo’s suspension follows constitutional guidelines for judicial removals.
President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo after receiving petitions calling for her removal.
The suspension came after the Council of State determined a prima facie case against Torkornoo regarding alleged misbehavior. The petitioners claim that the Chief Justice’s conduct violates the standards required of her office, though the details of the petitions remain confidential under the 1992 Constitution.
Torkornoo’s suspension follows a process outlined in Article 146(6) of Ghana’s Constitution. The article mandates that a committee be established to inquire into petitions against high-ranking judicial figures.
The committee will review the accusations and recommend whether the Chief Justice should be removed. President Mahama has acted in accordance with the Constitution by suspending Torkornoo pending the committee’s findings.
Appointment of the inquiry committee
To investigate the petitions, President Mahama has appointed a five-member committee. The committee’s chair is Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, a Supreme Court Justice.
Other members include Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Daniel Yaw Domelevo (former Auditor-General), Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo (from the Ghana Armed Forces), and Professor James Sefah Dzisah (Associate Professor at the University of Ghana). The committee will inquire into the allegations and make a recommendation based on its findings.
Constitutionally mandated process and next steps
Article 146 of the Constitution of Ghana provides a framework for the removal of Justices of Superior Courts. The process includes a committee inquiry and a recommendation to the President based on the findings.
This constitutional mechanism aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the judiciary’s leadership. Torkornoo’s case will proceed through this legal process, with her suspension expected to last until the committee concludes its work.
