KEY POINTS
- A committee chaired by Justice Pwamang will investigate the Chief Justice’s conduct.
- Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has been appointed acting Chief Justice following Torkonoo’s suspension.
- The suspension follows allegations of misconduct and a constitutional process of investigation.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior of the nine justices of the Supreme Court, has assumed the role of acting Chief Justice. His appointment follows the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, announced on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, by President Mahama.
The suspension follows the establishment of a committee to investigate petitions seeking Torkonoo’s removal from office. These petitions accuse her of misconduct and incompetence. The President made the decision based on constitutional provisions and after consulting with the Council of State.
President Mahama cites constitutional provisions for suspension
According to MyJoyOnline, the President invoked Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the formation of a committee to investigate allegations against a superior court judge if a prima facie case exists.
According to a statement from the presidency, President Mahama confirmed that there were sufficient grounds to proceed with further inquiry. The committee, which will investigate the petitions against the Chief Justice, is composed of individuals from various sectors and will be chaired by Justice Gabriel Pwamang.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s extensive legal career
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was called to the Bar in 1981. His career includes serving as a Circuit Court Judge in Kumasi and as a High Court Judge at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Bono region. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court in 2008 by former President John Kufuor, he had served as an Appeals Court judge.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was also a member of the panel of Supreme Court judges who ruled against a petition from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2012, challenging the validity of votes in the general election. The NPP sought to have about four million votes scrapped due to allegations of tampering.
